Apartment advice? stinkbugs

[Chitoshi]

Anyone ever had a marmorated stinkbug infestation in their apartment/home?

We used a window air conditioner this year because it was unbearable in our bedroom and we were sick of sleeping on a mattress.

I've never had to deal with stinkbugs until this year because they swarmed in my area really badly, that's never happened before so I didn't know that they would winter in window units.

Which leads me to now.

I've found 10 stinkbugs so far and I'm SUPER freaked out. We already sealed the A/C window air conditioner and that seemed to stop them for the most part.

I know from my research NOW that "preventative measures" are better, but there's nothing I've found so far that says what to do once you've screwed yourself on the preventative measures.

Today we found one on the window in a room we haven't found them in before. I know they're attracted to light and are probably just trying to get out of our apartment but it's like 20 degrees outside.

I know they don't generally breed in someone's home unless they're laying their eggs in your houseplants, but from what I found it seems rare. I checked the two houseplants I have (am freaked because I found that stinkbug in the room we actually keep one of the houseplants in)

We double checked the A/C unit is sealed.

Are they coming from the walls?!

I hate them, they're ugly, I know they don't do harm. They look like dinosaurs. They give me the creeps. I can't do it.

If anyone has had this experience....
1. How did you get them out?
2. Did you ever overcome your fear of them? How?
3. How do I find out where they're coming from?
4. Anything else?

 

[Deleted member 44579]

Hi well I learned about these on a trip to America.... Don't squash them.... Flush them down the toilet.
Or hot soapy water to drown them.. I know it's harsh.
Check every bit of your apartment for holes on ways to get in and cover where necessary.
I really hope you achieve eviction for the stinkbugs.

And I think if you want a non bug apartment you will lose your fear of them quickly.. Good luck

 

[Deleted member 28403]

Uh..
We consider stinkbugs bringers of luck.

1. I don't, I let the roam
2. Culture built in with a liking of them
3. I guess follow one all day, it should return somewhere
4. Yaaay superstitions

Really, don't know what to do, don't kill the bugs please :p locals say they bring good fortune and money

But yea, do not squash them, the stink when hurt. Thats how they got the name

 

[Tornadic Thoughts]

They get in our house on occasion. I get a cup and help guide them into it with a magazine or whatever is handy then take them back outside. I used to have a fear of all things flying insect related, minus lady bugs, but now only hornets and wasps induce that deep fear, unless it's unexpected on a bad day, then even a ladybug can mess with me.

 

[Nessa7]

I don't think that they're physically capable of laying eggs until the spring.

I've never had a problem during the winter, but I go through periods of catching a few a day during the summer. I use the water bottle trick of catching one inside there so the stick is contained. There's also a trap you can make. You need a clean bottle or jug with the cap to seal it shut. You put a light in it to attract the stinkbugs to it. The way that I've mostly heard of people doing it is getting button cell batteries and individual LED lights. The LED lights will be like the replacements that you use for a string of Christmas lights. The LED light will have two metal legs. One leg will be slightly longer, and it goes up against the + side of the battary. You can hold it together with a bit of regular tape.

I've known people that had a vacuum only for stinkbugs. It doesn't sound like you're there yet. That vacuum will smell completely terrible. It seems to be more for if you have to make the choice between having your entire house smell slightly or having one item in your house smell a lot.

 

[EveHarrington]

I flick them! (Much to the dismay of everyone around me.....I pride myself on not getting “stunk” lol.)

But at least now I know why I have such bad luck!

:hilarious: