Natural DIY Stink Bug Repellent

Stink bugs are annoying pests that commonly appear in and around homes toward the end of summer. While they’re harmless to humans and pets, they can damage your garden and become an aggravating nuisance once they find a way into your home. Chemical insecticides are both dangerous and often ineffective when used by homeowners. Luckily there are a few natural DIY stink bug repellent methods that work.

Diatomaceous Earth

This chalky power is a natural sedimentary rock that contains silica, alumina, and iron oxide. It works as a natural DIY stink bug repellent by breaking down the waxy protective layer of the stink bug’s exoskeleton, causing the bugs to dehydrate.

How to use: Sprinkle outside and inside, around doors, windows, and other entryways to your home. If you notice stink bugs, you can also sprinkle the powder directly onto them.

Garlic Spray

Oddly, stink bugs aren’t particularly found of stinky smells. They don’t like the potent odor of garlic and typically stay away from the plant. Unlike the diatomaceous earth, a garlic spray will deter stink bugs, not kill them.

How to use: Mix 2 cups of water and 4 tsp of garlic powder into a spray bottle. Spray the garlic solution onto plant leaves, around doorways, on windowsills, and around other areas where you notice stink bugs congregating. Since garlic is the main ingredient, you can place cloves of fresh garlic around areas where you see stink bugs trying to sneak in.

Mint

Similar to garlic, mint acts as a natural stink bug repellent.

How to use: Mix 2 cups of water with 10 drops of mint oil (or 2 tsp of muddled mint leaves) into a spray bottle. Spray the solution onto plant leaves, around doorways, on windowsills, and around other other areas where you need stink bug repellent.

Soapy water

A little less natural, this method works like diatomaceous earth by breaking down the protective exoskeletons of stink bugs and dehydrating them.

How to use: Mix 32 oz of hot water with ¾ cup dish soap (antibacterial is fine). Spray the solution directly onto stink bugs.

For help with getting stink bugs out, contact go2-pros extermination. Our team of experts can help eliminate stink bugs and prevent them from re-entering your home.