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Summer is nearly here, and that means bugs are coming out and making themselves known yet again. Unfortunately for those of us who live in RVs, this often means dealing with some rather unpleasant infestations. And one of the worst kinds of bug infestations an RVer can have? Stink bugs.
While we haven’t personally had to deal with this issue, we’ve known a couple of families who have had stink bugs invade their RVs. Here’s what you need to know if this happens to you.
What Are Stink Bugs?
Stink bugs are, as you may have guessed, bugs that stink. They emit a foul odor as a defense mechanism when threatened or crushed. The bugs are native to Asia, but they’ve spread widely across North America and are causing problems for RVers all across the country.
The most common species in the U.S. is the brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys if you want to get fancy). It’s a shield-shaped little critter that’s about half an inch long and is a mottled brown or gray color. If you see one, there are likely plenty of others nearby.
Where Do Stink Bugs Live?
Stink bugs were first found in the U.S. in Allentown, PA in the 1990s, but they are now confirmed in over 45 states. They prefer temperate climates with four seasons, as they seek shelter to overwinter in fall and re-emerge in spring. You might find them in trees, gardens, crops, and under leaves or bark, but they do like indoor places, so you may also find them in garages, sheds, and you guessed it, your RV.
Heavily Infested Regions
Wondering which states you’re most likely to pick up stink bugs in? These areas have the highest populations and most frequent infestations.
- Pennsylvania (ground zero for U.S. introduction)
- Maryland
- Delaware
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- New Jersey
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Georgia
- Tennessee
- Ohio
- Indiana
- Illinois
- Michigan
- Oregon
- Washington
- California (especially northern and central CA)
Stink Bug Season
While you might see a stink bug at any time of year, they do tend to remain hidden through winter in warm places and become active again in early spring when temperatures rise. Large numbers of the bugs and RV stink bug infestations are most common in late summer and fall as the bugs search for shelter before winter.
How Do They Get Into RVs?
Of course, the best thing you can do about stink bugs in your RV is avoid infestation entirely. Unfortunately, this is easier said than done. Stink bugs are expert hiders and can squeeze through very small gaps, meaning it’s super easy for them to get into an RV.
Common entry points include:
- Window or door seals that are worn or cracked
- Roof vents
- Slide-outs and their seals
- Utility hookups (like electrical, water, or sewage inlets)
- Gaps around A/C units, fans, or antennas
- Open doors or windows left without screens
Prevention
To prevent the little buggers from getting into your home-on-wheels, seal all entry points. Use RV sealant and weather-stripping on cracks and gaps. Make sure to check window/door screens for holes, and ensure slide-out seals are intact. Cover exterior vents with mesh screens and park away from vegetation or trees when possible.
You might also use LED lights instead of bright outdoor lights because they tend to attract fewer bugs in general, including stink bugs.
How to Get Rid of Stink Bugs in an RV
Unfortunately, sometimes even the best prevention methods don’t work. In these cases, it is necessary to figure out how to get rid of stink bugs in your RV. There are a few things you should know when attempting this.
Removal
First, you will need to remove the bugs. Unfortunately, it’s very easy to scare the bugs while removing them, triggering the stink that they are so famous for. Some of the best methods include the following:
Step 1: Vacuum
First, remove as many of the bugs as you can by vacuuming them up. Use a nylon stocking in the vacuum hose to capture the bugs as you vacuum. This will allow you to dispose of them without filling your vacuum cleaner with their nasty scent.
Step 2: Soapy Water Trap
Once you’ve removed as many as you can with the vacuum cleaner, set out a soapy water trap. Simply fill a shallow dish with soapy water and place it directly under a bright light source. The bugs will be attracted to the light and fall right in the water and drown. Virginia Tech found this to be more effective than store-bought traps.
Repellents
Once you’ve gotten rid of as many bugs as possible, use some repellents to ensure they stay out. There are several repellent options out there, and using a few in parallel is probably your best bet:
- Essential oils like mint, clove, or lemongrass can deter them (spray some diluted solution around entry points).
- Diatomaceous earth sprinkled near openings can kill them if they walk through it.
- Insecticides (such as pyrethroid-based sprays) work, but are not always RV-safe for long-term use.
- Use indoor-safe bug sprays for spot treatment (read labels carefully).
- Dryer sheets are actually oddly effective as well. Use heavily scented, oily dryer sheets and wipe them along the places where the stink bugs enter the RV to repel them.
It’s true that stink bugs are not something you want to have in your RV, and they can be pretty difficult to get rid of. That said, with the prevention, removal, and repellent options listed above, you should be able to keep your RV (relatively) stink-bug-free for the duration of your travels.
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