Stink bugs on your laundry? Keep them away using a very simple tip
Have you ever gone to pick up a shirt from the clothes line and found bugs on it? It's not such an uncommon occurrence, but it's certainly not pleasant. Generally, these insects are completely harmless, but stink bugs (Pentatomidae), for example, can give off horrid smells which can ruin our wash.
There are times of the year when stink bugs abound, even during the winter. Sp what can we do? There are various tips you can use to repel these pests from our clothes and homes.
Why do stink bugs love clothes hanging on the line? The reason is that the damp fabrics provide the insect with something to drink. In fact, you will often find these bugs sitting on damp rags and other fabrics on the ground or hanging up.
So, what can we do when we can't put our clothes in the dryer immediately?
Some smells act as natural repellents: essential oils, for example, work very well. In fact, tt seems that tea tree, lavender and mint oils are particularly effective in repelling stink bugs.
So, what is the procedure? Just follow these steps:
- Add a few drops of an essential oil to your detergent before or during the wash. Maybe it's preferable to do this just before the final rinse, so it has a better chance of adhering.
- Prepare a DIY fabric spray, to be sprayed on as soon as you have finished hanging up the clothes: mix pure vodka and distilled water in equal parts in a spray bottle. Then add 20-30 drops of the chosen oil. Obviously, nothing stops you from mixing several essential oils together (up to a maximum of 20 or 30 drops).
These are really simple remedies which are worth trying out. And they will leave a great smell throughout your house!
