I just sat down to write this article when I saw another one: a stinkbug.

The prehistoric-looking bug has been buzzing me, landing on me, and even setting up shop on the top of my water bottle. Ewww.

After battling drain flies this summer, I am wondering if the bugs are Plague #2. But my number-one question is where did they come from? A Google search produced the answer.

Stink bugs are an invasive Asian species that work their way into homes in the fall and winter through small openings and cracks in the home.

Sure enough, the bugs are all appearing near a door that has a gap in its insulation. (I'll be right back. I see another one.)

Ignoring the Pests in Your Homeschool

I've noticed the gap in insulation many times, but I ignored it. Ignoring these small cracks in our homeschools is also how the pests get in. We see a little lack of diligence, a little lack of character, a little disrespect (in ourselves or our kids) and we close our eyes to it. It's not a big problem, we tell ourselves.

A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—and poverty will come on you like a thief
and scarcity like an armed man. Proverbs 6:10-11

But soon you're seeing more and more of these aggravations. I'll tell you what we tend to do about them that doesn't work when I get back from handling a bug. (You probably think this is just a writing gimmick, but I really am engaging in pest control as I write.)

The Band-Aid Approach

I'm back. When I saw the first stinkbug, I asked my husband to get it. When I saw a couple of others, I asked my son to take care of them. We often use a Band-Aid approach to problems–whatever is quick and easy. The problem with this approach is twofold.

First, we haven't addressed the source of the problem. In the time it took to eliminate one bug, two more were worming their way in. I did nothing to prevent them from getting in. In the same way, I can tell my son he has to turn his math work in by the end of day, but if I'm not regularly checking his work, he will keep skipping assignments. (True story.)

The second problem with the Band-Aid approach is it doesn't scale. I checked one child's math work when I saw that it wasn't done. But if all six kids randomly skip subjects, I'll be swatting bugs all.the.time. And yes, I used the word swatting intentionally.

The third problem with the Band-Aid approach is anger. As you're likely aware, stinkbugs emit an unpleasant odor when stressed or swatted. If I'm constantly “swatting” at the kids out of irritation with my failed efforts, they will raise a stink. No one will be happy.

So, how can we handle a stinkbug invasion or homeschool pests while keeping our sanity?

First, thoroughly investigate the source of the problem. After identifying one crack in your routine or parenting, keep looking. It may not be the main route of invasion. As I was writing, I discovered several stinkbugs hiding behind the window shade. I will be checking to see if they are getting in under the window frame. I not only needed to check all of my child's work but the other kids' as well. With your family, review your routine and approach and have a heart-to-heart with your kids about the problem. Many times discussions have revealed a culprit I hadn't considered.

Second, implement a solution at scale. With the stinkbugs, I have a vacuum at the ready whenever I see (or hear) them. Replace door insulation, seal cracks in your window frames, and consider using a deterrent spray. When it comes to checking kids' work, consider having all your kids meet with you at the same time to share their completed work.

Third, stay vigilant. I've taken out a LOT of stinkbugs in the process of writing this article. Right now I don't see any more. But that doesn't mean they won't be back. I need to stay watchful of another pest wanting to steal my sanity. So will you.

Welp, that didn't take long. Just saw two more. But the good news about staying vigilant is you don't have to start over. You know what to do.

Finally, ask for help. If the pests continue to pester you despite your best efforts to eliminate the problem, ask someone for advice or assistance. I talked to my husband who's working out of town (of course! 🙂 and I'm going to contact our pest control service. Many times I kept trying to solve a problem with the kids without asking for help. That's sad because not only could I have enjoyed more homeschool sanity but I would have given others the opportunity to enjoy being of service.

What pests are you dealing with in your homeschool? Let me know in the comments.

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