July 25, 2011

They're smelly little critters that feed on crops and outdoors plants and infest the darkest places of your home. Now, Plow & Hearth is offering a new way to get rid of stink bugs.

The Madison County-based catalog company is offering a new stink bug trap at its store and through mail-in order. The trap, which is made in the U.S., lures the bug in without crushing it and causing it to give off its foul odor.

The traps can go inside or outside. All you have to do to use them indoors is attach a light.

"They are attracted to the light. It's the same thing, they'll crawl up and get trapped inside and die. So you want to put the trap in darkened rooms like attics and basements," said senior product manager Janice Coughlin.

The trap costs approximately $20. Plow & Hearts reports 500 orders have already been placed and they expect 10,000 traps in American households by the end of August.

For the do-it-at-home crowd, there is a cheaper solution. The bugs are attracted to color, so you can make a sticky solution and apply it to a bright-colored paper.

You could also make your own stink bug repellent. Simply mix four tablespoons of garlic powder with two cups of water and spray the solution on your plants. the smell should repel the pesky critters.