How to Kill Stink Bugs with Soapy Water

Apart from cleaning, soap has been used over the years to get rid of crawling and flying insects at home. Soapy water is efficient in killing bugs because it penetrates and blocks the tiny holes found on their skin.

To get rid of stink bugs using soapy water, mix ½ (half) cup of soap powder with 1 cup of water. Spray this on the bugs directly and watch them die. Soapy water is one of the best ways to kill stink bugs fast without them stinking because it destroys and dehydrates their cells.

The best thing about using soapy water to get rid of stink bugs is that they will not stink. When stink bugs are soaked in soapy water, their pores are blocked from producing any foul odor.

Hiding areas: Where do stink bugs hide?

Take advantage of the fact that during the cold seasons, stink bugs will be hiding in the warm areas of your house. This makes it easy to find and spray them. Some of the common areas where stink bugs hide in your house include:

1. Cracks on walls
2. Dark warm corners
3. Celling On the Roof
4. Under the bed
5. On old seats, clothing and heavy curtains
6. On thick carpets that are warm and fluffy

Once you find their hiding spot, spray the stink bugs with a strong solution of soapy water. Alternatively, use a rag soaked in soapy water to wipe them off. Then rinse this in a bucket so that they drown.

Stink bugs will rarely lay eggs inside the house because they like reproducing outside when the weather is warm and conducive. This is why if you manage to find these hideouts, getting rid of them will never be a challenge.

Spray stink bugs with soapy water

If you want better results, here is how to make a perfect stink bug spray with dawn dish soap:

1. Warm-up a liter of purified water that is soft (not salty water)
2. Add 5 tablespoons of liquid dish soap
3. Mix it well then spray this directly on the bugs to kill them fast

It is okay to use any other powdered or liquid soap as long as it is strong and similar to this. This is an example of readily available soaps near you especially if you live in North America where dawn is one of the popular liquid soap.

How to kill stink bugs with soapy water

Apart from spraying, another way of killing stink bugs without them stinking is by drowning them in soapy water. This can be easily done using the following steps:

1. Get a small open bucket and fill it will ½ litter of water
2. Add about 5-6 tablespoons of liquid or powdered soap
3. Gently stir to mix so that you do not have a lot of foam
4. Knock the stink bugs into the container and let them drown to death without stinking

During their season which is randomly between April and August, stink bugs can come into your house in large numbers because they love warm environments. The low temperatures outside will drive them into your house.

How to get rid of stink bug smell with soapy water

Soapy water will help in getting rid of the foul smell produced by stink bugs. Squeezing and smashing stink bugs against the walls, floors or furniture is not a good idea because they will produce a bad odor.

If you happen to kill one and it is stinking, use water and soap to clear the bad smell. Soapy water can also be used to get rid of the stink bug smell on furniture. Here is what to do:

1. Make a solution of soapy water by mixing liquid or powdered soap with water
2. Get a clean towel and soak it into the mixture
3. Wipe the dead stink bug of plus any fluids that it leaves at the spot
4. Leave your windows open for a short while if possible so that the place is well aerated

Can soapy water attract stink bugs?

No, soapy water can never attract stink bugs because they have nothing beneficial from the smell or the contents. Instead, they will avoid it if they can because it will definitely kill them on contact.

Stink bugs also have a way of producing a smell that will attract others to any comfortable place that they find during the cold season. If this happens to be in your house, then they will definitely come in large numbers.  

If you keep finding stink bugs in your room, take a day off and use soapy water to get rid of them. Clean every dark corner of the room with the solution and remember to wash the curtains. Curtains are the first place stink bugs will probably land when they fly in through the window.

Wash the curtains and remove any heap of dirty clothes that may be providing a warm moist environment for them to hide. Wash and fold those then clear your wardrobe as well. Soak a rag in soapy water and generously squeeze in every joint and crack.

Additionally, use soapy water to clean your bed and under it. Remove the mattress outside and let it get some fresh air. Squeeze some soapy water on the joints to kill stink bugs, cockroaches, and other insects including spiders that may be hiding under your bed.  

Reference:

1. The University of Maryland, college of agriculture and natural resources: Stink bug behaviors
2. NCRIS: Controlling brown stink bugs.