Stink bugs aren't harmful, but they are annoying, and this common kitchen spice may help keep them out of your house.

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Stink Bugs

I started really noticing stink bugs a few years ago.  They would end up in my home, and while they don't really hurt anything, they're a pest that I'd rather not have in my house.  Not to mention if you hurt them they stink, hence the name stink bug.  According to Web MD, stink bugs are invasive.

Stink bugs are invasive, six-legged insects. They are almost two centimeters long with a shield-like shape, and a grayish speckled coating. As the name suggests, these insects will produce a stinky odor when you crush them. Other than the unpleasant smell, stink bugs are only dangerous to certain plants.

 

A Common Kitchen Spice to Help Repel Them

I've planted citronella and lavender outside of my house before to help repel mosquitoes, so it makes sense that there are scents that may repel other bugs as well.  One common kitchen spice is said to repel stink bugs, and help keep them out of your home.  That spice is cloves.

How to Repel Stink Bugs with Cloves

According to Taste of Home placing whole cloves around windows, door mats, and other entrance points will help repel stink bugs.  They also say that if your problem is really bad, clove oil can help as well.

Sprinkle a handful of whole cloves on windowsills, around doorways and on doormats in your home. If the problem is extreme, purchase clove oil to spray around windows and doors outside. While the whole cloves will repel and prevent stink bugs, clove oil will kill them off. Keep in mind, though, that clove oil can be toxic to even beneficial insects, so consider dried cloves first and use clove oil sparingly.

Garfield Pest Control says that several essential oils can help repel stink bugs and other pests, but use caution when using essential oils as some are not safe for pets, so use caution and talk with your vet if you have concerns about using these oils and you have pets.

So, what essential oils do stink bugs hate? Clove oil, lemongrass oil, spearmint oil, and Ylang Ylang oil are a few of the essential oils stink bugs find themselves shying away from. Other popular scents that repel stink bugs from your home are different types of dryer sheets.