- Why do these stink bugs?
- The most famous types of bugs
- Differences between a stink bug and a stink bug
- Home remedies at a glance
They are brown, about half a centimeter long and often cause embarrassment simply because of their long antennae. But the really disgusting thing about them is the smell: stink bugs sit on windowsills, on wooden facades and anywhere where sunlight is still available for a few warm hours. Sometimes they buzz around the hip room loudly.
Why the bugs stink so much
But anyone who simply kills them has a problem: if the bugs are cornered or crushed, they spread a disgusting smell that – according to many people – is reminiscent of sweaty feet. To scare away unwanted guests, stink bugs rely on an olfactory defense system. The excretory secretion acts as a defense mechanism against predators.
Stink bugs are widespread
There are about 800 different species of bed bugs in Austria. There are some well-known species of stink bugs Green rice bug and the Marbled stink bug. Although many species of bugs are harmless, certain stink bugs – such as the marbled stink bug – can cause damage in agriculture by piercing and weakening plants and fruits. The bugs feed by using their mouths to suck plant juices. This can lead to deformation and discoloration. Incidentally, a female can lay up to 450 eggs in one season, leading to rapid population growth.
Differences between a stink bug and a stink bug
Marbled stink bug
- Coloring brown, marble with different shades of brown and gray.
- Size: About 12 to 17 mm long.
- Shield-shaped body with rounded shoulders.
- Characteristic white bands on the antennae and black and white patterns on the edges of the abdomen.
Green stink bug
- Light green during the active growing season, can turn brown in autumn.
- Size: About 12 to 15mm long.
- Shield-shaped, wide body with a uniform green color.
- It has no characteristic marble patterns and is often brown in winter
In urban areas, bed bugs can be found in gardens, parks and, especially now in the fall, in houses and buildings because they want to hibernate there. The animals cannot tolerate temperatures below ten degrees. The insects can enter indoor spaces through tiny cracks and crevices, where they can appear in large numbers. Although they are mostly inactive during this time and do no harm, many people find their presence disturbing and unpleasant.
Home remedies for stink bugs
Once the stink bugs are in the apartment or house, there are some home remedies to drive the insects away or to prevent them from entering in the first place. Of course, the insects can be carefully caught with glass and paper and released back into the wild. Then there is no smell and no living people are killed either. By the way, they are completely harmless indoors and do not attack house plants.
- Seal and cracks on the house and windows, use fly screens
- If the apartment and the house are ventilated, then not in the evening when the lights are on.
- Vinegar solution: Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle and add a few drops of dish soap. You can spray this solution directly on the bugs to kill them. The acid in the vinegar and the enzymes in the dishwashing liquid can effectively kill the stink bugs.
- Garlic: The smell of garlic deters stink bugs. Crush a few cloves of garlic and soak them in water to make a solution that you can spray around windows and doors.
- Peppermint Oil: Mix about ten drops of peppermint oil with water in a spray bottle and spray the places where stink bugs are common.
- Soapy water: A simple solution of water and dish soap can also be effective. Spray the solution directly on the bugs. The soap destroys their protective layer and causes death from dehydration.
- Lavender: Like mint oil, lavender oil can also be used to keep stink bugs away. You can mix lavender oil with water and spray it on the affected areas.
- Check the attic and heat sources: Bedbugs often look for warm places to go in the winter. Make sure windows and attic vents are well sealed and check heat sources such as furnaces and radiators for leaks.
- Vacuum Cleaner: If you already have stink bugs in your home, you can remove them with a vacuum cleaner. However, dispose of the vacuum cleaner bag immediately after cleaning as the live or dead bugs can emit an unpleasant smell.
(Source: SALZBURG24)