As temperatures begin to cool, stink bugs start searching for a warm place to spend the winter — and unfortunately, your home may be exactly what they’re looking for. These foul-smelling pests become especially active during the fall months, sneaking into homes and businesses through tiny cracks and openings to overwinter indoors.
While stink bugs are not dangerous to humans, large infestations can quickly become frustrating. Once inside, they gather in walls, attics, basements, crawl spaces, and other secluded areas, often emerging in large numbers throughout the winter and spring.
The good news? A few proactive pest prevention steps can dramatically reduce your chances of dealing with a stink bug infestation this season.
Stink bugs are shield-shaped insects best known for the unpleasant odor they release when disturbed or crushed. The most common species found throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland is the brown marmorated stink bug, an invasive pest that has spread rapidly across the United States since the 1990s.
Adult stink bugs are typically:
Young stink bugs, called nymphs, appear red and yellow before maturing into adults.
These pests reproduce quickly, with females laying dozens of eggs at a time and producing multiple generations each year. Because they have few natural predators in the United States, their populations can grow rapidly.
Stink bugs are considered overwintering pests, meaning they seek shelter indoors as temperatures begin to drop. Once inside, they hide in protected spaces until warmer weather returns in spring.
Homes become attractive to stink bugs because they provide:
If they find gaps around your home’s exterior, they can easily move indoors and create a large nuisance infestation.
You may notice:
Unlike termites or rodents, stink bugs do not damage structures or spread diseases, but their sheer numbers can become overwhelming.
The best way to deal with stink bugs is to stop them before they get inside. Here are the most effective prevention strategies homeowners can use.
Carefully inspect your home or business for possible entry points. Pay close attention to:
Even tiny openings can allow stink bugs to enter.
Because stink bugs can squeeze through very small spaces, sealing entry points is one of the most important prevention steps.
Use:
Repair damaged:
Overgrown vegetation gives stink bugs easy access to your home.
To reduce activity:
Reducing harborage areas makes your property less attractive to overwintering pests.
Stink bugs are strongly attracted to light at night.
To minimize attraction:
This simple step can significantly reduce nighttime bug activity around your home.
Like many pests, stink bugs are drawn to moisture-rich environments.
Inspect your home for:
Using dehumidifiers and improving airflow in basements, attics, garages, and crawl spaces can help make these areas less inviting.
Although stink bugs primarily seek shelter indoors, accessible food can still attract pests.
To help prevent activity:
You should also inspect boxes, bags, and outdoor items before bringing them indoors, as stink bugs can hitchhike inside unnoticed.
If you find a stink bug indoors, avoid crushing it. When disturbed or squashed, stink bugs release the foul odor that gives them their name.
Instead:
Even dead stink bugs can leave behind lingering odors.
Stink bugs are not the only pests that invade homes during the fall. Other common overwintering pests include:
Many of the same exclusion and prevention techniques used for stink bugs can help reduce other seasonal pest invasions as well.
Once stink bugs establish themselves inside walls, attics, or other hidden spaces, DIY methods often provide only temporary relief. Professional pest control treatments can help eliminate existing infestations while preventing future invasions.
Professional stink bug treatments may include:
The most effective time for treatment is typically late summer or early fall before stink bugs fully move indoors.
If stink bugs are becoming a recurring problem around your home or business, professional help can make all the difference. Viking Pest Control has been helping homeowners throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland protect their properties from stink bugs and other seasonal pests since 1980.
Our experienced technicians create customized treatment plans designed to eliminate infestations and help prevent future pest activity year-round.
Don’t wait until stink bugs take over your home this fall. Contact Viking Pest Control today for a free estimate and learn more about our effective stink bug prevention and pest control solutions.