Stink bugs eat the leaves of our plants and unfortunately also their fruits. In winter they even slip through cracks into the warm house. The sight of them often arouses horror, but there is really no reason to worry. Stink bugs just live up to their name: They give off a foul-smelling secretion as soon as they feel threatened. A few home remedies help us to fight the stink bugs.
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detect stink bugs
There are countless species of bugs that can cross our path in this country. Both outdoors and within our four walls. Hardly anyone can tell the individual species apart at first glance. The stink bug would spread its telltale scent when touched. But we do not want to encourage this test. Here are the external characteristics of the Palomena prasina, as this bug is correctly called by professionals:
- six-legged insect
- with a solid light green carapace
- this one is finely dotted
- in the cold season the carapace turns reddish brown
- in the spring, temperature-controlled discoloration takes place
- after hatching, it goes through various stages
- that is why we will encounter it in a slightly modified form
- Insect grows up to 14 mm
Indoor stink bugs
In 2018, this type of insect appeared more frequently in this country, so that in many places it was spoken of as a plague. In late autumn of the year, many specimens even entered human living quarters. In search of suitable winter quarters, they were attracted to warmth and light. Due to their size, even a small crack or leak was enough for them to slip into the house.
danger to humans
We are already familiar with the bed bug, which feeds on human blood, from indoor areas. We don’t have to worry about this with the green stink bug, which is also commonly known as the common greenhorn or common bug. Palomena prasina feeds exclusively on plant sap. But no one wants to see stink bugs crawling in their home or inhale their scent samples. There is also a suspicion that the emitted scent secretion can trigger allergic reactions in sensitive people.
To keep stink bugs from roaming our homes as they please, two things are necessary: Prevent them from entering in good time. If some specimens have nevertheless found their way inside, track them down and transport them out again.
Close leaks
Block all paths into the house for stink bugs. You are dependent on a permeable body. If this is not the case, they remain locked outside. Then fighting the stink bugs is superfluous.
- Check the house in summer or early autumn
- Close any holes and cracks found
- with suitable materials from the Bauhaus
- pay particular attention to tightly closing windows and doors
Ventilate properly
Every room must be aired regularly. We can’t do without it just to keep stink bugs away. However, we can take some precautions to prevent these uninvited insects from entering our home through an open window.
- only quick ventilation for a few minutes
- Do not keep opening the window in the tilted position
- turn off the light when airing in the evening
- attach fly screens if necessary
Prevent with a vinegar and washing-up liquid solution
Why fight stink bugs when you can prevent them? Fill a spray bottle with 500 ml water, 250 ml vinegar and 120 ml washing-up liquid. Shake the solution vigorously. Spray it on the window and door frames. The smell acts like a barrier. Stink bugs do not cross this scent boundary.
Capture Palomena prasina
If you have discovered one or more stink bugs in your living space, calm, considered action is the order of the day. Under no circumstances should the animals be crushed or killed. When you feel threatened and also when dying, they emit their stinky scent load. Insecticides are also not a good choice in closed rooms for the sake of your own health. The vinegar and washing-up liquid solution would also be an effective home remedy for fighting Palomena prasina. However, it is usually not immediately to hand and is not recommended for every area. Therefore you should proceed as follows:
- approach the insect cautiously
- throw a mug over it
- slip a piece of paper or cardboard underneath
- Take stink bug outside
- alternatively fill a glass with soap solution
- Grab insects with tweezers
- throw in the liquid
suck up insects
You can also vacuum up several specimens with a vacuum cleaner. However, you should immediately remove the dust bag from the device and dispose of it in the dustbin outside. In this way you prevent the spread of the stench that inevitably spreads with this type of control.
Set up sticky traps
If you cannot discover and dispose of all the stink bugs but still suspect a few specimens in the house, you can set up sticky traps.
However, you should check them regularly and dispose of them quickly as soon as a stink bug sticks to them.
Stink bugs outdoors
Stink bugs love hot summer months and then multiply diligently. But unlike in the house, we cannot easily lock out stink bugs on our private piece of nature. If their population is limited, their presence is not too disturbing. In addition, there are so many hiding places in a densely overgrown garden that we do not always notice them. However, if their feeding marks clearly point to them and are no longer acceptable, Palomena prasina should be controlled. The bugs do this damage:
- cause pitting of the leaves
- suck the sap of the plants
- damage the plant growth
- can transmit diseases to plants
- prick fruit
- pricked fruits wither in the further development
collect stink bugs
If you spot stink bugs in the garden, you can simply shake them off the plants and then collect them. For example in a screw-top jar that closes tightly so that they don’t escape again. Wear gloves to protect your skin from the smelly secretion.
You can search your garden specifically for stick bugs from spring. Especially if you have already performed in large numbers in the previous year. You are more likely to find them on the following plants:
- strawberries and other berries
- beans, potatoes and cabbage,
- ornamental plants such as roses
Spray with soapy water
Soapy water is a proven home remedy that can help us against all kinds of pests in the garden. Dissolve 20 grams of curd or soft soap in one liter of water and spray infested plants with this household remedy several times a day. When making it, it is important that you do not use any soaps with added fragrances or dyes.
Spirits against Palomena prasina
Alcohol is also a home remedy that is effective against stink bugs. Spray it diluted on your plants several times a day. This household remedy can also be used in alternation with the soapy water. However, do not spray in direct sunlight to avoid burning the green leaves.
Fight stink bugs with neem oil
Spray the neem oil directly on the bugs or on infested plants. The oil sticks to their organs, preventing them from feeding and reproducing. But do not use any other oils. Paraffin oil, for example, can also harm beneficial insects.
Vegetable nets as crop protection
If your vegetable plants have already set fruit and the stink bugs have not completely disappeared from the garden, you should secure the harvest. To do this, spread close-meshed nets over the vegetable plants. For example a mosquito net. This will keep much of the Palomena prasina away from the fruit.
