Stink Bug Control: Tomball, TX’s Trusted Solution

How to Get Rid of Stink Bugs in Tomball, TX

In many cases, if you see a bug in your house, your first instinct might be to squash it with a newspaper, shoe, or tissue. However, crushing a stink bug will cause it to release its notorious foul odor. Not only will you need to deal with the unpleasant smell, but this odor can also attract more stink bugs to your home.

For this reason, the recommended way to physically remove a stink bug from your Tomball house is to vacuum it up and immediately empty the vacuum bag outside, away from your property. You can also create a light trap to kill the bugs. By placing a light over a pan of water laced with dishwashing soap, you’ll attract stink bugs to the trap, where they will drown.

If you suspect a stink bug infestation, it’s essential to take steps to prevent more from getting inside your home. One of the most effective measures is sealing off potential entry points. In Tomball homes, common entry points for stink bugs include damaged window screens, gaps in walls, door seals, roof vents, and chimney gaps. Sealing these with caulk or weather stripping can help prevent additional stink bugs from getting inside.

The best way to eliminate stink bugs from your Tomball home is to seek professional pest inspections and treatment. All U Need Pest Control guarantees satisfaction and responds within 48 hours of your inquiry. We remove stink bugs from your home and save you the hassle of dealing with traps or disposing of them without enduring their odor.

Types of Stink Bugs in Tomball, TX

There are over 2,000 different species of stink bugs worldwide, 225 of which are found in North America. Stink bugs vary in size, color, and characteristics, and not all stink bugs are harmful. It’s important to identify which stink bugs are pests and which are not.

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

The most common type of stink bug to invade homes in Tomball is the brown marmorated stink bug. These insects are larger than many other species, growing up to 17mm in length. They are typically dark red, brown, or black on their outer sides, with beige coloring underneath. Their legs and antennae have white bands, and their abdomens have alternating dark and white bands.

Brown marmorated stink bugs originated in Asia and have caused significant agricultural problems since arriving in the U.S. They feed on high-value crops and plants like tomatoes, peaches, apples, peppers, and grapes. This feeding damages crops, making them unmarketable and potentially spreading plant diseases.

Rough Stink Bug

Rough stink bugs may be harder to spot due to their ability to blend into their environment, often resembling tree bark with a mixture of gray and black coloring. Adult rough stink bugs grow to about an inch long and have spines on their shoulders, which distinguish them from other stink bug species.

Unlike the brown marmorated stink bug, rough stink bugs are beneficial rather than harmful. They feed on pests like caterpillars and beetles, acting as a natural form of pest control for gardens and agricultural areas in Tomball.

Green Stink Bug

Another species that Tomball residents might encounter is the green stink bug. Adult green stink bugs are a solid light green color and have a thin yellow, orange, or red border around their shield. They can grow to about three-fourths of an inch in length.

Green stink bugs damage fruits and plants, often causing a condition known as “catfacing,” which leaves recessed areas on fruit, making them unsellable. The damaged fruit cells fail to grow properly, creating deformities.

Southern Green Stink Bug

As their name suggests, southern green stink bugs are bright green when they reach adulthood. However, they begin life as black-colored nymphs. Southern green stink bugs can grow to over half an inch in length, with dark antennae marked by light bands. These bugs are frequently confused with regular green stink bugs.

Southern green stink bugs attack tomatoes, peaches, cotton, and seeds such as soybeans and pecans. Their saliva is toxic to developing fruit, killing parts of the fruit, which continues to grow but in a deformed state. Almost ripe fruits that come under attack from southern green stink bugs often have hardened spots where the bugs’ saliva has destroyed the cells.

Spined Soldier Stink Bug

The spined soldier stink bug is another species that can be found in Tomball. These bugs have a pale brown, gray, or tan color with a shield shape. Spined soldier stink bugs grow up to 10mm in length, and their shoulders are pointed, hence their name.

Like the rough stink bug, spined soldier stink bugs are beneficial predators. They feed on caterpillars, beetles, and other harmful pests, making them helpful in maintaining the local ecosystem.

How to Prevent Stink Bug Infestations in Tomball, TX

Preventing stink bugs from invading your Tomball home can be challenging, so taking proactive measures is crucial, especially before the colder fall and winter months when they seek shelter indoors.

Here’s a list of steps to help prevent stink bugs:

• Check for possible entry points and seal areas with gaps.
• Replace damaged screens and ensure all windows and doors close tightly.
• Look for cracks or gaps in walls, especially around pipes or outlets.
• Close these crevices with weather stripping or caulk.

Maintaining your indoor environment is just as important. Stink bugs prefer moist spaces, so using dehumidifiers and ensuring proper ventilation in basements, attics, and crawl spaces can help. Regularly prune and clean indoor plants, and consider quarantining new plants before introducing them to your home.

Outside your Tomball house, take steps to limit stink bugs from thriving. Remove clutter like old flower pots, overgrown weeds, and fallen leaves. Trimming bushes, shrubs, and tree branches so they don’t touch your house can also help reduce their numbers.