# How to protect computer from bastard stinkbugs **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 18, 2022, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-protect-computer-from-bastard-stinkbugs/959742 "2022-02-18T14:58:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2022, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-protect-computer-from-bastard-stinkbugs/959742/1 "2022-02-18T14:58:01Z")
Not sure if this blongs in FQ or IMHO, but here goes… A few months ago I bought a gaming-level computer. My office area is infested with stinkbugs, and no amount of sealing around windows and doorwall seems to keep them out. They’re mostly just a nuisance, but clearly they can get through very small spaces. The grill at the back of the computer has large open honeycomb shapes and some vertical open slot areas on the sides (if you [click the link here](https://www.microcenter.com/product/635448/powerspec-g509-gaming-pc) and hover to zoom over the default image, you can see exactly what it looks like). There’s plenty of room for those f@#%&\*# stinkbugs to crawl in, looking for warmth or just generally exploring. I don’t think any have gotten in yet, but I feel like it’s just a matter of time. Could I do anything to keep them out, like maybe cutting an ordinary piece of window screen to size and fastening it over the honeycomb / slot grill? Or would that restrict airflow? ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2022, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-protect-computer-from-bastard-stinkbugs/959742/2 "2022-02-18T15:34:00Z")
I would try elevating it and putting sticky paper under the legs you create. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2022, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-protect-computer-from-bastard-stinkbugs/959742/3 "2022-02-18T15:38:01Z")
The little bastards can fly though, so they could easily land on top of the computer and breach it from above. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2022, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-protect-computer-from-bastard-stinkbugs/959742/4 "2022-02-18T17:25:09Z")
Put a mesh across the opening with holes too small for the bugs but big enough to not restrict airflow. ---
**Author:** ![md-2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@md-2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md-2000)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2022, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-protect-computer-from-bastard-stinkbugs/959742/5 "2022-02-18T17:30:05Z")
Exactly - a fine cloth mesh similar to mosquito netting taped over any orifices. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2022, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-protect-computer-from-bastard-stinkbugs/959742/6 "2022-02-18T20:26:25Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Put a mesh across the opening with holes too small for the bugs but big enough to not restrict airflow. > [@md-2000](#): > > Exactly - a fine cloth mesh similar to mosquito netting taped over any orifices. Yeah, I had suggested in the OP cutting an ordinary piece of window screen to size and using that, but I was concerned event that might restrict airflow too much. I guess I can closely monitor my CPU temps after. ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2022, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-protect-computer-from-bastard-stinkbugs/959742/7 "2022-02-18T21:44:15Z")
You could make sure all your stinkbug couples are legally married. (flees) ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2022, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-protect-computer-from-bastard-stinkbugs/959742/8 "2022-02-18T21:53:45Z")
This might help. > **[Stink Bug Control Info: How to Get Rid of Stink Bug](https://www.pestworld.org/pest-guide/occasional-invaders/stink-bugs/)** > > What are stink bugs? Learn about stink bugs, get information on stink bug control and how to get rid of stink bugs, and much more, from PestWorld.org. ---
**Author:** ![Limmin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f04885/32.png) [@Limmin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Limmin)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2022, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-protect-computer-from-bastard-stinkbugs/959742/9 "2022-02-18T21:56:34Z")
You’ve got computer bugs? Hm. Might want to use only released software instead of unstable alpha stuff. \dumb joke I think a coarse mesh, coarse enough to not restrict airflow but smaller than a stinkbug, should work. My PC has a built-in mesh with a honeycomb grid of holes about 4 mm in diameter. Seems about ideal. Looking at your linked image, mine is similar but I think the holes might be larger in the image, maybe 6 mm? I would be concerned those are a bit too large to keep out stinkbugs. ---
**Author:** ![md-2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@md-2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md-2000)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2022, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-protect-computer-from-bastard-stinkbugs/959742/10 "2022-02-18T21:57:50Z")
Also, maybe if you’re handy, make a frame so the mesh sits a ways off of the existing grill, thus ensuring better airflow. ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2022, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-protect-computer-from-bastard-stinkbugs/959742/11 "2022-02-18T21:59:31Z")
> [@md-2000](#): > > Exactly - a fine cloth mesh similar to mosquito netting taped over any orifices. And then do the same thing to your computer. ---
**Author:** ![Limmin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f04885/32.png) [@Limmin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Limmin)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2022, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-protect-computer-from-bastard-stinkbugs/959742/12 "2022-02-18T22:00:17Z")
Maybe clap on one of these, over your existing grille… [https://www.performance-pcs.com/fans-accessories/fan-grills/speaker-type-round-grill-6-sp-grill-6.html](https://www.performance-pcs.com/fans-accessories/fan-grills/speaker-type-round-grill-6-sp-grill-6.html) ---
**Author:** ![md-2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@md-2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md-2000)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2022, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-protect-computer-from-bastard-stinkbugs/959742/13 "2022-02-21T06:03:47Z")
> [@Folly](#): > > And then do the same thing to your computer. You only need to do that to your orifice computer, not the home computer.