This is a question you might be asking if it feels like your home is in the middle of an invasion of stink bugs. In some regions, it can happen every year if measures aren't taken to stop these unwanted visitors from marching inside.
Stink bugs are especially common for the Midwest and East Coast. However, they can strike in nearly every part of the country! Take a look at what all homeowners should know about why stink bugs have arrived, what they will do once they're in your home and how to get rid of them.
“It always seems impossible until it's done. – Nelson Mandela
The Cause: The Weather Is Luring Them Inside
Stink bugs show up in homes just as the warm weather is fading at summer's end. That's why you're likely to see an invasion of stink bugs during the very early part of the fall. Unfortunately, they will get inside if you don't take "blockage" measures to keep them out.
It's critical to take pest control measures early because stink bugs release special chemicals to let others know that they have found a safe, cozy spot for the winter. That means that more stink bugs are on the way if you've already noticed some crawling on your floors, walls, windows and furniture.
What You Can Do
Prevention is the best medicine when it comes to the stink-bug cure! Make your home difficult for bugs to break into by sealing any cracks that they could crawl through to travel through your home. If you're unsure about how to spot areas bugs can use to get inside, have a pest control company come in to show you your vulnerabilities. Look for cracks and entry points in these places:
- Siding
- Windows
- Doors
- Electrical outlets
- Under wood fascia
- Light switches
- Chimneys
- Ripped screens
From the perspective of a stink bug, your home is a warm beacon of light that will be perfect for hibernating for the winter! Older homes with more nooks and crannies tend to be more vulnerable to bug invasions. However, stink bugs will infiltrate new homes as long as opportunities are present. Try to bug-proof your home before the end of summer because just a few cool nights can begin the stink-bug brigade that will last through the winter!
The Cause: Your Shrubbery Is Creating a Bridge to Your Home
Stink bugs may be targeting your home because you are offering an unintended natural bridge directly inside! One of the most common points of entry for stink bugs is a shrub or bush that is close to the house. These little bugs will hop into bushes before crawling in through little gaps in your windows or siding.
What You Can Do
Trimming all branches to ensure that no greenery is touching your home can help to keep them at bay. Stink bugs will also congregate on piles of firewood in your yard. Be sure to brush off any wood before bringing it into your home. Additionally, try to keep firewood that you store in your yard as far off the ground as possible.
The Cause: Your Home's Bright Lights Are Inviting Stink Bugs
Stink bugs are wildly attracted to bright lights! That means that outdoor lighting at your home may be to blame for your stink-bug invasion. Your home is at higher risk if you have bright, white exterior lights.
What You Can Do
There are several ways to approach the lighting issue. The first is to simply keep outdoor lighting at a minimum. This will be especially important during that key end-of-summer window where stink bugs are looking for a hibernation spot for the impending winter. Additionally, switching out your outdoor lights to yellow lights can be effective because stink bugs don't like yellow light as much as they like whiter, brighter lights.
Stink Bugs in House Shouldn't Be Ignored
While stink bugs "break into" houses to hibernate, the warmth and lights in your house may actually keep them active throughout the cold months. That means that you may encounter their horrible smell whenever they are threatened during their wintertime odyssey in your house. Unfortunately, stink bugs are difficult to get rid of once they've settled in because their colonies will stay hidden in your walls, crawl spaces or attic until next spring. Colonies of stink bugs tend to have longevity because they don't have many natural predators that will come after them.
While preventing stink bugs from entering your home can be an effective way to combat this type of infestation, it can be extremely hard to kill stink bugs in large numbers once they are inside your home. Bringing in pest control services if you have stink bugs in house is the most effective way to get rid of a hibernating colony that is living somewhere in the tunnels of your home's walls, basement, attic or piping. Avoid a winter full of vexation from stinky, crawly stink bugs by having a pest pro come in to treat your stink-bug problem before it grows.
Do you have a problem with stink bugs at your home? Call a pest control company and request an estimate to get rid of them today!
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