Eliminate Stink Bugs With One Spicy Condiment You Already Own

If you need to get rid of stink bugs in your home, then you'll be glad to hear you can banish them with the help of a spicy condiment that's probably in your fridge: hot sauce. The same thing you use to spice up your eggs can also help you kill these creepy crawlies. That's because the red sauce gets its spicy flavor from capsaicin, which is a known irritant that creates a hot tingling sensation when it comes into contact with the skin or mouth. Capsaicin works the same on bugs, so when you douse them with hot sauce, you're essentially burning their bodies, killing them.

Because of this, you can use hot sauce as a stink bug insecticide. This is a great hack to try since it utilizes something you already have in your house. You don't have to run out to the store to buy bug spray; instead, you can give your spicy condiment a second job. This also makes it handy for when you get a rogue stink bug in the house. When you do, simply run to your fridge for some stink bug-eliminating sauce.

To create a spicy spray that'll make stink bugs a thing of the past, all you need to do is pour hot sauce into a spray bottle. Keep the bottle in rooms where these bugs are prone to enter, and when you see one on the wall or floor, spray it with the bottle. Since the sauce is what kills the bug, you might also have a higher success rate if you change the nozzle so it jet streams rather than mists. This will allow the bug to be hit with a more concentrated spray, killing it more effectively.

While this is an easy way to kill bugs, there are a few things to keep in mind before trying this hack. First, since the sauce is red, it has the potential to stain the surrounding area you're spraying. Avoid squirting it on furniture, carpets, or upholstery, and immediately wipe it off if you sprayed it on the floor, wall, or hard furniture.

Second, use it with caution if you have pets around. According to Pepper Palace, while it's not fatal to pets, if they have a tiny lick, the capsaicin in the sauce can cause stomach pain and general discomfort if ingested. Plus, most hot sauce contains garlic and onion, both of which are poisonous to cats and dogs, per the "Merck Veterinary Manual." If you have pets, make sure to thoroughly clean the area after you mist the sauce.