Each year when the weather begins to cool, insects begin searching for places to take refuge in the winter. It is at this time when people start thinking of ways to get rid of stink bugs, which are little black insects that, when crushed, give off a foul odor. These insects are not necessarily harmful to humans but these insects can destroy fruit plants and ornamental plants growing in the garden.

The stink bug is not native to the American continent but originates from Asian countries. The bug first appeared on the east coast of the United States and has been spreading around the country ever since the late nineteen nineties. In some parts of the country the insects are starting to become a serious problem and many people are trying to keep these insects away from their homes and gardens.

In order to understand how to get rid of stink bugs it is important to understand their life cycle. The most common stink bug is the brown bug which is also the most dangerous to plant life and measure about fifteen millimeters in length. This particular insect has a shield like shape and has two antennae encircled by both light and dark rings.

The brown stink bug lays eggs in the period between June and August on the bottom of leaves. The bug feeds on fruit leaving small spots on the fruit and causing the fruit to be inedible for humans. When the weather begins to cool the bug will look for an indoor home for the winter.

The bug prefers a winter home in an attic or basement and when finding the right area releases a scent to attract other insects which leads to an infestation. When the insects begin to cluster, home and business owners have a problem. The insect does not reproduce in the winter months but instead enter a hibernation period.

Eradicating these insects once they have made a home in a house or business can be a challenge, but is not impossible. Prevention is the best way to keep the insects at bay. It is easier to keep the insects out than it is to remove them once they have entered the structure.

Look for openings in the attic and basement where insects are able to crawl through and seal the cracks. Seal up all the cracks and crevices with silicone caulking or weather stripping to keep out unwanted pests. Put screens over attic vents, seal any cracks in the chimney, and use silicone caulking around utility pipes, to keep the pests out of the house.

Some people get rid of stink bugs using a vacuum cleaner if the insects have already infested the attic or basement. There is no insecticide available to the general public that can be used to eradicate these insects but there are many professional pest control companies that specialize in the eradication of the stink bug. Many professional exterminators also help eradicate these insects from plants and fruit trees and can be hired to treat garden spots with professional insect repellent during the infestation months.

There are also many natural methods to use to get rid of stink bugs that don't cost as much as an exterminator and are more effective at permanently eliminating your stink bug problem.