How to Get Rid of Stink Bugs With Essential Oils | How to Prevent Stink Bugs

Looking for a natural solution to your stink bug problem? Learn How to Get Rid of Stink Bugs With Essential Oils!

Stink bugs can be an unbearable nuisance due to their pungent smell and large colonies. Fortunately, there’s a natural, cost-effective remedy to this problem: essential oils. This article will elucidate How to Get Rid of Stink Bugs With Essential Oils.

Check out the best essential oils to get rid of flies here


What is a Stink Bug?

How to Get Rid of Stink Bugs With Essential Oils 1
Shutterstock/Davide Bonora

Stink bugs or shield bugs belong to the ‘Pentatomidae’ group of insects. They release pungent-smelling fluid when crushed or attacked, hence the name. Stink bugs do not cause any health issues to human beings. However, they are a severe threat to crops and gardens.  There are various types of stink bugs, namely-

  • Brown marmorated stink bugs
  • Harlequin bugs
  • Southern green stink bugs
  • Oebalus pugnax (Rice stink bug)
  • Forest bugs
  • Rough stink bugs
  • Two-spotted stink bug or Double-eyed soldier bug

What Essential Oil Keeps Stink Bugs Away? | What Essential Oils Repel Stink Bugs?

Essential oils are an excellent stink bug repellent, thanks to their richness in active compositions such as eugenol, β-caryophyllene, l-carvone, p/l-menthone, pulegone, methyl salicylate, trans/cis-citral, and methyl benzoate.

Essential oils that repel stink bugs are –

  • Clove essential oil
  • Lemongrass essential oil
  • Spearmint essential oil
  • Ylang-ylang essential oil
  • Ternary essential oil
  • Wintergreen essential oil
  • Geranium essential oil
  • Pennyroyal essential oil
  • Rosemary essential oil
  • Eucalyptus essential oil
  • Lemon essential oil
  • Lavender essential oil
  • Catnip essential oil

How to Get Rid of Stink Bugs With Essential Oils?

Try the below stink bug repellent DIYs to get rid of these pesky insects for good!

DIY Stink Bug Repellent Essential Oil Spray

How to Get Rid of Stink Bugs With Essential Oils 2

Supplies

  • 10-15 Drops of Clove Essential Oil
  • 8-10 Drops of Rosemary Essential Oil
  • 15-20 Drops of Lemongrass Essential Oil
  • 10-15 Drops of Lemon Essential Oil
  • 16 Oz of Hot Water
  • A 16 Oz Empty Spray Bottle
  • A Small Funnel

Directions

  1. Add hot water and all the essential oils into an empty spray bottle using a small funnel.
  2. Before using this mix, shake the bottle for a few seconds.
  3. After that, spritz this solution where shield bugs tend to accumulate, such as entrances, windows, doors, basements, and patios.

DIY Essential Oil & Dish Soap Stink Bug Spray

How to Get Rid of Stink Bugs With Essential Oils 3

Supplies

  • Two Cups of Hot Water
  • 3-5 Drops of Liquid Dish soap
  • An Empty Spray Bottle
  • 10-15 Drops of Lavender Essential Oil
  • A Small Funnel

Directions

  1. Pour hot water, dish soap, and lavender essential oil into an empty bottle and mix them well.
  2. Spray it on places like indoors, outdoors, patios, and plants to deter them.
  3. Reapply the solution when the smell dissipates.

Mint Essential Oil Stink Bugs Repellent

How to Get Rid of Stink Bugs With Essential Oils 4
shutterstock/Igor Normann

Supplies

  • 8-10 Drops of Spearmint Essential Oil
  • 1/2 Cup of Water
  • A Bowl
  • Cotton Balls

Directions

  1. Combine spearmint essential oil and water in a bowl.
  2. Next, soak some cotton balls in this mix for a few seconds.
  3. After that, strategically place the cotton balls in areas where stink bugs tend to gather.
  4. Make sure to resoak the balls when their scent starts to fade or after heavy rainfall.

Notes:

  • Before using the above essential oils for stink bugs, make sure that you are comfortable with their aroma.
  • Repeat the above stink bug-removing process regularly for about a week to achieve better results.

What Attracts Stink Bug?

Stink bugs are attracted by several factors, including:

  • Light: Stink bugs, like many other insects, are attracted to lights.
  • Seasonal Changes:  Shield bugs are drawn to warm environments, particularly when the weather starts to turn cold.
  • Food: These pesky bugs feeds on a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and other plants. A garden or landscape with these types of plants could attract stink bugs.
  • Moisture: Overwatered plants or damp areas lures stink bugs as they prefer moist habitats.
  • Other Stink Bugs: If there are already stink bugs present, they will attract more stink bugs. They tend to congregate in large numbers.

Why Do Stink Bugs Stink?

Stink bugs have defensive glands located on their abdomen that produce a noxious odor when they feel threatened or disturbed. This odor acts as a deterrent against potential predators. The pungent scent is potent and can linger, making encounters with stink bugs unpleasant for humans and animals alike.


How to Prevent Stink Bugs From Entering Your Home and Garden?

How to Prevent Shield Bugs From Entering Your Home and Garden?
shutterstock/RealityImages

After learning the simple steps to get rid of stink bugs with essential oils, follow the below steps to prevent their infestation:

  • Seal Off Entry Points: Inspect your home for cracks, holes, or gaps in doors, windows, walls, and the foundation. Seal these off using a suitable sealant like caulk.
  • Door Sweeps and Window Screens: Install door sweeps on exterior doors and repair or replace damaged screens.
  • Outdoor Lighting: Stink bugs are attracted to light. Consider switching to yellow outdoor lights, which are less attractive to bugs.
  • Clutter-Free Garden: Keep your yard clean from fallen fruits and debris, as these can attract stink bugs. Also, remove weeds and debris from your garden regularly to eliminate their hiding places.
  • Proper Home Ventilation: Keep attics and crawl spaces well-ventilated and dry, as stink bugs are attracted to damp, dark spaces.
  • Use Companion Planting: Certain plants, such as marigolds and chrysanthemums, keep stink bugs away. Grow them as companion plants for a stink-bug-free garden.

How to Get Rid of Stink Bugs With Essential Oils: Conclusion

Stink bugs, while not harmful to humans, can be a significant nuisance due to their pungent odor. Essential oils like lemongrass, rosemary, and lavender, among others, are effective repellents thanks to their active components.

Learn how to get rid of fruit flies with essential oils here

1 Comment
  1. I’ve tried peppermint oil it is very short lasting. Going to try the above recipe.. dish soap half and half with water does work but you have the soapy residue to deal with.
    I’ve used a jar of half soap and water, not exact, just a good dumpi g of soap

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