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Ugh! The aptly named stink bugs (any of several insects in the pentatomidae family) won’t do damage to a home, but when threatened or squished, they release a seriously pungent smell. A good stink bug repellent, like other effective methods of pest control, can help banish these annoying pests safely, affordably, and effectively. We found a favorite– Buggslayer Insecticide– an excellent and easy-to-apply option for dealing with these seasonal pests.
In the best-case scenario, a repellent will help prevent wandering stink bugs from invading the home, but for the best results, Caleb Fabry, President of Town and Country Pest Solutions, recommends combining these products with other preventative measures. Keep reading to learn more about the measures Fabry is talking about and to find out why we chose the following products for our lineup of the best stink bug repellents.
- BEST OVERALL: Buggslayer Insecticide Concentrate Stink Bugs
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Ortho Home Defense Max Indoor Insect Barrier
↓ Jump to Review - BEST NATURAL SPRAY: Mighty Mint Insect and Pest Control Peppermint Oil
↓ Jump to Review - BEST NONTOXIC: Safer Brand Diatomaceous Earth
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR GARDENS: Bonide Neem Oil Fungicide Ready to Use
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BUG CATCHER: BugZooka WB100 Bug Catcher Vacuum
↓ Jump to Review
Our Top Picks
This roundup includes both preventative treatments and insecticides. The best stink bug repellents are safe, affordable, and easy to use. These products vary in type, application, and ingredients, but one will surely be a good pick for your bug-repellent needs.
Best Overall
Buggslayer Insecticide Concentrate Stink Bugs
Buggslayer is an effective and long-lasting solution in the war against stink bugs. The concentrated formula is effective against stink bugs, box elder bugs, and Asian lady beetles. It’s water-based and formulated for outdoor use only. Once applied, it forms a barrier that lasts for weeks and won’t wash away in rain.
A pump-type garden sprayer is recommended for application. The dilution ratio is 4 ounces of Buggslayer mixed with 1 gallon of water. It should be sprayed on areas where stink bugs are most likely to enter the home, such as foundations, doors, windows, and other penetrations.
The formula is odorless and non-staining, and its active ingredient is deltamethrin, an insect killer found in chrysanthemum flowers. Spraying should be done on calm days to avoid being carried on the wind, and while Buggslayer is suitable for use on ornamental plants, it shouldn’t be used on food crops. Avoid spraying lawns and foliage during the heat of the day.
Product Specs
- Type: Concentrated liquid
- Indoor/Outdoor: Outdoor
- Chemical/natural: Chemical and natural
Pros
- Easy to use
- Odorless and non-staining
- Residual killing effect
Cons
- Requires use of a pump sprayer
Get the Buggslayer stink bug killer on Amazon, Walmart, or Menards.
Best Bang for the Buck
Ortho Home Defense Max Indoor Insect Barrier
Stink bugs aren’t the only nuisance bug in many homes. If various types of crawling insects are wandering through, the affordable Ortho Home Defense Max Indoor Insect Barrier may help. This effective insect barrier kills and prevents common crawling insects inside the home.
Formulated for indoor use, this product leaves no stains and no fumes when applied. While Ortho doesn’t advertise this treatment’s protection length for stink bugs, the brand does boast an impressive residual length, protecting against ants, cockroaches, and spiders for up to 12 months.
The budget-friendly 1-gallon bottle includes an extended sprayer to reduce the need to bend over when spraying. Ortho recommends applying the spray wherever bugs tend to wander, including kitchens, bathrooms, attics, and around doors and windows. The spray is safe for humans and pets once dry.
Product Specs
- Type: Spray
- Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor
- Chemical/natural: Chemical
Pros
- Protects against a wide range of insects
- Long-lasting residual protection
- Extended sprayer
- Great value
Cons
- Mediocre effectiveness against cockroaches
Get the Ortho insect barrier on Amazon, at The Home Depot, or at Tractor Supply Co.
Best Natural Spray
Mighty Mint Insect and Pest Control Peppermint Oil
Not all effective stink bug sprays are formulated with synthetic chemicals. For a natural solution, consider Mighty Mint Insect and Pest Control Peppermint Oil Spray. This 100 percent plant-based spray has just one simple active ingredient: peppermint oil. Not only is the ingredient list short and simple, but Mighty Mint also uses peppermint farmed in the United States. Our pest-eradication expert, Caleb Fabry, prefers a “natural peppermint spray” for insects because it’s effective and “doesn’t leave a chemical smell.”
Needless to say, this spray is safe to use around humans and pets. It’s suitable for both indoor and outdoor use and in addition to stink bugs it also repels a range of common crawling insects.
The 1-gallon bottle should last for several treatments, and it comes with a sprayer for easy application. This formula imparts rooms with a pleasant, not overpowering, fresh minty scent.
Product Specs
- Type: Spray
- Indoor/Outdoor: Both
- Chemical/natural: Natural
Pros
- Just one simple, natural ingredient
- Strong peppermint oil kills and repels
- Safe around people and pets
Cons
- May be less effective than chemical formulas
Get the Mighty Mint Insect and Pest Control Peppermint Oil on Amazon or at The Home Depot.
Best Nontoxic
Safer Brand Diatomaceous Earth
A tried-and-true bug killer, diatomaceous earth is a natural product that works on a huge range of crawling insects. This fine yet scratchy powder damages insects’ outer shells, eventually causing them to dehydrate and die. With a 100 percent diatomaceous earth formula, this product is a safe and affordable way to banish stink bugs.
This powder can be used indoors and outdoors; Safer Brand recommends sprinkling it along cracks and crevices, baseboards, and under appliances (common stink bug hiding places). This naturally derived product is safe for use around children and pets. The powder is ready to use right from the 4-pound bag, which is resealable to keep the product dry and effective while in storage so users can retreat areas time after time.
Product Specs
- Type: Powder
- Indoor/outdoor: Indoor and outdoor
- Chemical/natural: Natural
Pros
- Safe and non-toxic
- Naturally derived
- Easy to use
- Kills a range of insects
Cons
- Powder formula is easily disturbed
Get the Safer Brand diatomaceous earth at The Home Depot, on Amazon, or at Tractor Supply Co.
Best for Gardens
Bonide Neem Oil Fungicide Ready to Use
While stink bugs won’t cause damage indoors, they can wreak havoc on a garden, feeding on vegetables, fruits, and ornamental plants. The right repellent will disrupt the bugs’ feeding and egg-laying cycle, reducing the chance of a garden infestation—and by extension, also preventing them from wandering inside. Bonide’s Neem Oil Fungicide is a safe and non-toxic insect repellent for ornamentals or edible plants. Derived from the neem seed, this spray is approved for organic gardening.
This ready-to-use product comes in a 32-ounce spray bottle. It’s suitable for use on both indoor and outdoor plants and can be used on fruits and veggies up to the day of harvest. Besides repelling stink bugs, it can also help control spiders, mites, aphids, beetles, and whiteflies; it’s additionally effective to control black spot, powdery mildew, and rust. Bonide recommends applying the product every 7 to 14 days to keep pests off your prized plants.
Product Specs
- Type: Spray
- Indoor/outdoor: Both
- Chemical/natural: Natural
Pros
- Naturally derived
- Safe to use on edible plants
- Approved for organic gardening
- Controls a range of pests and plant diseases
Cons
- Frequent application needed
Get the Bonide neem oil at The Home Depot, on Amazon, or at Walmart.
Best Bug Catcher
BugZooka WB100 Bug Catcher Vacuum
Physical removal is a safe and effective way to deal with the occasional stink bug. While a household vacuum cleaner may do the trick, sucking up stink bugs may leave a lingering (but temporary) odor. The BugZooka Bug Catcher Vacuum is a handy, affordable gadget that’s useful for trapping any small, crawling insect in the home.
The BugZooka Bug Catcher Vacuum is a lightweight device that, rather than batteries, relies on a patent pending compression module to create a quick burst of suction to snatch bugs. Bugs become trapped in the removable catch tube and can be released or disposed of. The extended length allows squeamish users to suck up stink bugs and other crawling insects—no squishing or squashing necessary.
Product Specs
- Type: Trap
- Indoor/outdoor: Both
- Chemical/natural: Neither; physical
Pros
- Physical trap—no chemical ingredients
- No batteries required
- Handy length
- Humane option
Cons
- Requires active use
Get the BugZooka WB100 Bug Catcher Vacuum on Amazon, at Walmart, or at Bumper Superstore.
What to Consider When Choosing a Stink Bug Repellent
The best stink bug repellents are effective, safe, and easy to use, whether you’re managing a current situation or trying to keep the pests from wandering into your home. When choosing a stink bug repellent, consider the repellent type, your preference for chemical versus natural ingredients, coverage area, and if the product itself has scent.
Types of Stink Bug Repellents
There are several types of repellents that can help banish stink bugs. The main categories include sprays, powders, and traps.
Sprays use a chemical or natural insecticide to kill or repel stink bugs. They are affordable, widely available, and simple to use.
The most popular and effective powder repellent for stink bugs (and a huge range of other crawling insects) is diatomaceous earth: a naturally occurring, soft, siliceous sedimentary rock that can be made into a fine powder that damages the exoskeletons of insects to kill them. The powder is effective and affordable, but precautions should be taken during application of this product.
Stink bug traps use lights or pheromones to attract and catch the bugs. They can be used indoors or outdoors to intercept these pests.
There are also stink bug solutions that don’t require a repellent at all, such as using a vacuum, dish soap and water solution, or essential oils. However, a stink bug repellent product is a more targeted solution.
Chemical vs. Natural Ingredients
Stink bug repellents can be composed of chemical or natural ingredients. When choosing between the two, consider the safety of your household and your level of comfort.
Chemical stink bug repellents for both indoor and outdoor use are tested to be safe when used according to instructions. However, when treating indoors, especially in homes with young children or pets, and for treating edible garden plants, an option that relies on natural ingredients, whether a stink bug spray or powder, may offer more peace of mind.
Coverage Area
Stink bugs don’t breed inside homes but rather come indoors to overwinter. There are repellent options to tackle both outdoor and indoor stink bug problems. It’s important to use stink bug repellents as instructed: indoor repellents likely won’t last outdoors, while outdoor repellents may be too strong for enclosed indoor spaces. Some stink bug repellents are suitable for both indoors and outdoors—these are great for folks that want one catchall product.
When shopping for a repellent, also consider coverage area. Ensure that you buy enough product to cover important areas, whether it’s treating a specific infestation or doing a perimeter treatment around the home. It’s usually best to have more than you think you need in case areas need retreating later.
Scent
Chemical bug repellents often have an odor, which can be unpleasant or even disruptive to sensitive individuals. Consider the treatment location and the sensitivity of those in the household. A less fragrant repellent is preferred for indoor areas, as well as for homes with children or pets.
Naturally scented and unscented options are available. Those concerned about the repellent scent can look for natural ingredients or non-spray options (such as traps or diatomaceous earth powder). Stink bugs also dislike certain natural fragrances, including clove, lemongrass, spearmint, and ylang-ylang oils. Incorporating these naturally derived scents into a stink bug strategy is an affordable idea that might even leave your home smelling fresher.
How We Chose the Best Stink Bug Repellents
When choosing the best stink bug repellents, our most important criterion was safety and effectiveness. We researched product ingredients and considered consumer reviews to find products worth their cost. According to Fabry, “Repellents are not very effective, especially in the long term,” so we gave strong consideration to ones that remained on the surface after treatment and killed stink bugs for weeks without needing to be reapplied.
For those who prefer to avoid chemicals, as well as for homes with young children or pets, we listed some natural and nontoxic options too, including a spray that can be used on edible plants.
FAQs
Stink bugs can be an annoyance if they find their way into your home. Luckily, these insects won’t damage your home or leave any bites (so there’s no need to whip out traditional bug spray), but you’ll still want to keep these unsightly pests under control. Read on for answers to some frequently asked questions on stink bugs and managing an infestation.
The main type of stink bug found in the United States is the brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys), an invasive species native to Asia. The brown stink bug has been present in the United States since the mid 1990s.
For an active stink bug infestation, pest control companies often use a chemical spray insecticide. For prevention and ongoing maintenance, many will recommend exterior treatments to dissuade stink bugs from entering the home.
The easiest and fastest way to get rid of stink bugs or similar bugs like boxelder bugs is to vacuum them up. But this method may leave your vacuum cleaner with a nasty smell that’s usually temporary.
Like any insect, stink bugs always have a chance of making it back indoors after treatment. To lower the chances, seal up all possible entry points (including little cracks and crevices), keep debris and vegetation away from your home, and hire a pest control company to treat the vegetation around your home on a regular basis.
They usually make their way into a home through cracks and crevices in the foundation, window or door frames, or attics. Along with the use of a repellent, it’s important to seal “entry points around windows, doors, vents, holes, or cracks in window screens with caulk, weather stripping, vent covers, or new screening,” Fabry said. And don’t forget places like chimneys that can offer an easy path for stink bugs to enter your home.
Not always. It is common to see one or a few stink bugs wander into homes at certain times of the year. Sometimes, however, stink bugs will congregate (possibly in the hundreds or thousands!), so it’s best to remove wandering bugs and treat any signs of infestation early.
The most common type (brown marmorated stink bug) is brown and roughly the size of a dime, with a large shield-shaped abdomen, a very small head, six long legs, and two antennae.
