Organic Pest Control for Stink Bugs

You may think that organic pest control for stink bugs is unnecessary, but if you knew there were nearly 90 different species of the stink critters, you just may change your thinking.

Stink bugs are slow moving insects that basically look like flat beetles. Some are brown, some are green and some are rusty reddish. No matter what color they are or where you live, all stink bugs have two things in common: they eat everything and they stink.

Stink bugs emit a gas as a means of defending themselves from predators. It's bitter, foul smelling and has the tendency to linger after it's been released. These relatively harmless bugs become even bigger pests in the winter months when they move into your home to escape the cold temperatures.

Don't worry though, unlike mice and spiders, stink bugs can't survive in an average home in the winter. They like to live in damp and humid conditions so most of them will die shortly after moving into the house if they don't make it back outside.

The best way to safely and organically control stink bugs in your home it to make sure every crack and crevice is sealed. This will keep them out to begin with. Use the caulk gun to seal your house up for the winter. If there is a crack, they will find it. Stink bugs aren't scurriers like the much loathed cockroach, they're slow movers and easy to catch. The problem is, once you catch them they’ll spray, so be warned. Other than the unpleasant aroma, stink bugs are relatively harmless in the home as they don't bite, nor do they carry diseases or parasites.

Stink Bugs are attracted to light, so close the curtains at night and have as few outdoor lights on as possible.

The most common host plants for stinkbugs are:

• Tomatoes
• Okra
• Beans
• Rasberry

The stinkbugs suck the sap from the plants, weakening them and causing the buds or fruit to be malformed. Growths that look like warts may appear on okra or bean pods. Controlling weeds is an important part of controlling this pest. You can also use an organic, botanical insecticide to stop infestations quickly.

One of the best ways to prevent stink bugs from getting into your garden and eating just about everything is to do some companion planting. It's not as difficult or involved as it sounds, it simply means to plant flowers, plants or herbs that are natural deterrents to stink bugs and other pests. Here's a list of common, easy to find plants, herbs and flowers that, when planted in and around your garden will act as a natural and organic stink bug repellent:

• Marigold – Try planting a border of marigold's around your garden.
• Radish – Many garden pests, including stink bugs don't like the smell of radishes.
• Catnip – This will work best if you don't have an outdoor cat.
• Mint – Easy to grow, hardy and needs minimal attention to thrive.
• Garlic – Many garden pests also hate the smell of garlic.
• Tansy – Pretty yellow flower from the Aster family.

The concept of trap planting is simple: plant flowers, vegetables, plants and herbs that the stink bug loves somewhere away from your garden. This way, you're preventing them from destroying your fruits and vegetables by giving them other fruits and vegetables on which to feast. Here are some great trap planting flowers and plants to lure stink bugs away from your garden:

• Sunflower
• Buckwheat
• Triticale
• Sorghum
• Millet

If you can't find some of the plants listed above, scientist say that stink bugs are attracted to the color yellow, so try your hand at planting as many different types of yellow flowers as possible.

Organic pest control for stinkbugs is an important way to safeguard your vegetables and fruits. Remember that just because a pest control product is organic does not mean that it is non-toxic. Always read labels carefully and keep products out of reach of children.

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