You may not have a stink bug problem yet. There may be nothing on your siding, no bugs around the windows, and no clusters gathering near the doors.
That makes October a good time to check.
As Maryland nights start to cool down, stink bugs begin looking for sheltered places to spend the colder months. Small openings around windows, doors, siding, and other parts of the exterior can give them a way inside.
At Womack Pest Control, we focus on finding pest problems early, before they become harder to manage. A quick inspection around your home now can help you find areas that need attention before stink bug activity increases later in the fall.
Stink bugs spend much of the warmer months outdoors. As the temperatures drop, they look for protected places where they can spend the winter.
Homes can provide that protection. Stink bugs may gather on warm, sunny exterior walls and find their way through cracks and openings around the structure.
The groups you notice later in the fall are not necessarily the start of the activity. Some stink bugs may have already found sheltered areas around your home or ways to get inside.
You do not need to inspect every part of your house at once. Walk around the exterior and focus on areas where gaps are common.
Check:
- Around window and door frames
- Along siding and where different materials meet
- Around pipes, wires, and other utility openings
- Around chimneys and vents
- Under fascia boards
- Around the foundation
- Window and door screens for tears or loose edges
- Weatherstripping around exterior doors
Pay extra attention to sunny areas of the house. If you notice stink bugs gathering on one section of siding or around a window, check that area closely for openings.
Here are some simple ways to address openings around your house that stink bugs can enter freely.
- Seal small gaps. Use an appropriate exterior caulk around windows, doors, siding, utility openings, and other areas where you find small cracks.
- Repair damaged screens. Replace torn screens or fix loose edges around windows and screen doors.
- Check exterior doors. Worn weatherstripping and gaps underneath doors can give pests an easy way inside. Replace damaged weatherstripping and door sweeps when needed.
- Keep plants away from the siding. Trim branches and shrubs that are touching the house. This also makes it easier to see and inspect the exterior.
- Reduce unnecessary outdoor lighting. Stink bugs are attracted to light, so turning off exterior lights when they are not needed can help limit activity around the home.
The first thing you should do is stay calm! If you see one, do not squash it, as they emit a nasty smell once squashed. You can remove it gently or vacuum it up, but make sure you empty the vacuum after cleaning up the stink bugs.
If you find stink bugs frequently in the same rooms or in front of the same windows, you might want to check the exterior of your house. They could be entering through some hole.
Removing the stink bugs that are visible can eliminate the present issue, but also discovering how they get inside your house could help avoid future issues.
Preventive pest control can help! So before stink bugs make their way inside your home and hibernate through the winter, call the professionals to make sure your home is safe from stink bugs the whole winter season.
Here at Womack Pest Control, we can help you inspect your home for signs of stink bug activity, and we will recommend the right preventive treatment for your home. Our goal is to help you enjoy your holiday pest-free. We believe that prevention is better than dealing with pests becoming a bigger indoor problem.
If you are not sure what signs of stink bugs to look for, contact us to schedule an inspection and preventative treatment.