Rachael Ray: Rachael's Daytime Talkshow

The "New Bed Bugs"

Aired on: May 27, 2011, February 1, 2011

Last year, headlines about bed bugs had many New Yorkers double-checking their hotel beds and movie theater seats. Now, there could be a new infestation to not only keep an eye out for, but also a nose - stink bugs! "They stink because when you step on them or when they feel threatened, they will release this odor," Dr. Ian explains. "They're not harmful at all; they don't bite, they don't sting, they don't transmit disease, but they do stink, and they are an annoyance."

Dr. Ian says that like any other pest, stink bugs come into your home in the cold winter months to look for warmth. "But, typically they're outside, and they have a nest," he says. "So if you want to get rid of stink bugs, try to find the nest and eliminate the nest." Dr. Ian adds that you can help prevent the bugs from entering your home by sealing up any cracks or holes in your doors and screens, and instead of squishing the bugs and releasing their odor, use a vacuum cleaner to eliminate them. Plus, Dr. Ian recommends using a bit of plain old dish soap and water. "Put it in a spray bottle," he says. "For some reason, while common pesticides do not work very well on these bugs, dish soap and water will work. We don't know why, but it's effective."

Watch the video above to see Dr. Ian profile a few more pests that are popping up these days: parasitic wasps, ghost ants and book lice!