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To keep animals away from your trash, you can spray store-bought ammonia-based cleaners on the bag or make your own spray. All you need is a spray bottle with one part ammonia and one part water. Once you’ve sprayed the bags, keep your kids and pets away.

There’s no denying the striking resemblance, but squash bugs are different from the brown marmorated stink bug. While both are shield-shaped and emit a foul odor when crushed, they belong to different insect families and target different plants. Squash bugs primarily attack squash, pumpkins, and other cucurbits, while stink bugs have a much broader range of host plants, including fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants. Their eggs and feeding damage also differ, making proper identification key for effective pest control.

Will coffee grounds get rid of squash bugs?

What smell do squash bugs hate?

This varies based on the circumstance. Chemical-based pest control baits and poisons are usually the most potent, but they are unsafe to use around children and pets, so they won’t be a fit for every household.

Safer alternatives, such as boric acid and food-grade diatomaceous earth, can work as well, though they should still stay out of reach. Aside from that, the best thing any DIY-er can do is make their place uninviting by sealing off entry points, eliminating clutter, and maintaining a clean home.

No, the spotted lanternfly does not sting, bite, or otherwise do anything painful or damaging to humans or animals. Do not hesitate to approach and kill the insects and any eggs you find on sight—you’ll be playing an important role in slowing the spread of these invasive and destructive pests. If you’re not sure if the insect is a spotted lanternfly, snap a picture and contact your local extension office for help identifying it.