How to Get Rid of Stink Bugs in Your NJ Home

If you've got brown, shield-shaped bugs crawling on your windows, siding and ceiling right now, they're brown marmorated stink bugs. They're not from here. They came from Asia and were first found in the U.S. in Allentown, Pennsylvania in 2001. They've been a fall problem across New Jersey ever since.

The good news first. Stink bugs don't bite, sting or spread disease, and they don't chew wood or wiring. They're a nuisance, not a danger. The bad news is that once they find a way into your house, a lot of them can follow.

Why they're showing up now

Stink bugs spend the summer feeding on fruit trees, gardens and farm crops. When the days get shorter and cooler, the adults go looking for a protected spot to wait out the winter. In the wild that's under tree bark. Around here it's usually your house.

They gather on the sunny south and west sides of a home in late September and October, then squeeze in through any gap they can find. Once inside, they settle into wall voids, attics and the space behind siding and trim. They stay mostly still all winter.

Why you see them inside in January

On warm winter days, or when the heat kicks on, some of the stink bugs hiding in your walls wake up and wander toward light. That's why people find them on lampshades, windows and ceilings in the middle of winter. They didn't just get in. They've been there since fall.

They don't breed indoors. The ones you see in winter are the same ones that came in during October.

How to get rid of stink bugs in the house

Don't crush them. That's where the smell comes from, and it lingers.

Vacuum them up. A shop vac works best. University of Maryland Extension suggests putting a stocking over the hose and securing it, so the bugs collect in the stocking instead of the vacuum, then dumping them into soapy water. If you use your regular vacuum, expect it to smell for a while.

Knock them into soapy water. Cut the top off a plastic bottle, put an inch of water with a squirt of dish soap in the bottom, and sweep the bugs into it. They can't climb out.

Skip the bug bombs. Foggers and indoor sprays don't reach the stink bugs inside your walls, and they won't stop more from coming in. Extension researchers say pesticides are generally not effective against stink bugs inside the home.

How to keep them out next fall

Keeping stink bugs out comes down to sealing gaps before September. Walk the outside of the house and look for:

• Gaps around window and door frames
• Torn window screens and screens on attic and soffit vents
• Spaces where pipes, cables and dryer vents go through the siding
• Loose siding and trim, especially on the south and west walls
• Gaps around the chimney

Seal small gaps with a good silicone or silicone-latex caulk, and repair or replace damaged screens. The same work keeps out mice, spiders and cluster flies, so it pays off more than once.

When to call

If you're finding dozens of stink bugs a day, or they're coming out of a ceiling light or outlet, there's a bigger entry point somewhere you haven't found. We can track down where they're getting in and talk through your options. See our stink bug control page or call (732) 527-5770.

Common stink bug questions

Do stink bugs bite? No. They have mouthparts for piercing plants, not people.

Will stink bugs lay eggs in my house? No. They mate and lay eggs outdoors in spring.

Are stink bugs bad for dogs and cats? They aren't poisonous. A pet that eats a few may drool or vomit from the taste.

Do stink bugs damage the house? No. They don't chew wood, wiring or fabric.