Fall Invaders in Tennessee: 3 Bugs That May Be Trying to Get Inside Your Home

Fall Invaders in Tennessee: 3 Bugs That May Be Trying to Get Inside Your Home

Fall has arrived in Robertson and Sumner Counties, and with it have come a variety of home-invading bugs. This is the time of year when certain pests show up in large numbers, intent on getting into protected areas where they can overwinter.

The three most common fall invaders in Tennessee are brown marmorated stink bugs, Asian lady beetles, and boxelder bugs. Although these pests are not considered dangerous or damaging when they get into your house, they are certainly a nuisance. Preventing them from getting indoors is the best way to avoid an infestation or recurring problems each fall. Find out why these pests become a problem each fall and what you can do to keep your Robertson or Sumner County home free of them.

Why Do Bugs Try to Get Inside Tennessee Homes in the Fall?

After a hot summer, Tennesseans welcome the cooler temperatures of fall. However, some bugs find those temperatures a little too cool for comfort. The drop in temperature triggers overwintering behaviors in stink bugs, Asian lady beetles, and boxelder bugs.

Fall invaders gather on sunny exterior surfaces during the day, seeking out the warmth these surfaces provide. Once there, they look for openings they can use to get inside. Common entry points include:

• Window and door gaps
• Damaged screens
• Siding gaps
• Rooflines and eaves
• Utility penetrations
• Foundation cracks
• Attic and foundation vents

Once they get inside, fall invaders will usually get into wall voids or attic spaces where they can spend the winter in relatively warm shelter. However, on unseasonably warm winter days, you may notice them moving around inside your house. They’ll come out again in the spring in order to move back outdoors for summer.

What Are the 3 Most Common Fall Invaders in Tennessee?

The three most common fall invaders in Tennessee are brown marmorated stink bugs, Asian lady beetles, and boxelder bugs. All three may gather around homes as temperatures cool, but they differ in appearance and behavior.

1. Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs
Brown marmorated stink bugs have mottled brown coloring with alternating light and dark bands along their abdomens. Their bodies are shield-shaped, and they have long antennae with light bands. 

Stink bugs often gather on buildings in the fall and enter homes through windows, doors, siding, and rooflines. Once indoors, they don’t typically reproduce and they won’t damage your house. However, they do release a strong, unpleasant odor when crushed. If you see them in your house, it’s best to vacuum them up instead of squishing them. Sealing exterior gaps around your house can help prevent them from getting indoors.

2. Multicolored Asian Lady Beetles
Asian lady beetles are not the same as the native ladybugs you’re used to. Although they look similar, Asian lady beetles are different in a few ways:

• They have yellow, orange, or reddish coloring
• They have a variable number of dark spots
• They have a black marking behind the head that may resemble an “M” or “W”

Large groups of Asian lady beetles may collect on sunny exterior walls before entering your home through cracks and crevices to overwinter. Disturbed beetles can release a yellowish defensive fluid that may stain surfaces, but they won’t cause any structural damage to your home. Although these pests can be beneficial predators while outdoors, they are a nuisance when they get inside.

3. Boxelder Bugs
Boxelder bugs have long, dark gray bodies with red or orange markings along their wings. They often live and feed on boxelder trees in the summer, which is how they got their name. In the fall, they’ll gather in large groups on warm, sunny sides of homes, then get indoors through cracks and other openings. Once inside, they'll make their way into attics and wall voids where they can overwinter.

Boxelder bugs are not dangerous or damaging. If crushed, they may leave stains or an unpleasant odor behind. It’s best to vacuum up the ones you see in your house. Seal all entry points to keep them from getting inside.

Are Fall Invaders Dangerous to Your Home?

Fall invaders are not dangerous pests. They won’t spread diseases or damage your house structurally. These pests are considered nuisances because they get inside in large numbers, can give off an unpleasant odor when crushed, and may stain fabrics. They also often end up being a recurring problem for homeowners, showing up each fall and spring.

How Can You Keep Fall Bugs From Getting Inside?

The best way to keep fall pests from getting into your Tennessee home is to implement exclusion measures prior to their peak fall movement. Seal entry points by:

• Caulking cracks around windows and doors
• Replacing worn weatherstripping
• Adding door sweeps where gaps are visible
• Repairing torn screens
• Screening attic and foundation vents
• Sealing openings around pipes, wires, and utility lines
• Checking gaps around siding, eaves, fascia, and rooflines

It is also recommended that you remove leaves, boards, grass, and other debris directly against the foundation of your house where pests may shelter.

Now is the perfect time to get a head start on preventing fall pests. Inspect the exterior of your house before temperatures drop significantly so that you can seal the entry points you find before the pests show up on the sides of your house.

What Should You Do If Fall Bugs Are Already Inside?

If fall pests have already gotten into your Robertson County home, you can get rid of the pests you can see by vacuuming them up, then disposing of the vacuum’s contents immediately. Avoid crushing the pests if possible.

It’s not recommended that you spray the pests. Although this may eliminate the ones that are visible, it will do nothing about the pests hiding in wall voids, and if done incorrectly, it can be harmful to your family. Although removing visible fall bugs can make you feel better, it won’t take care of the problem at its source. The hidden pests need to be removed and the entry points they use must be sealed to avoid future issues.

Can Exterior Pest Control Help Prevent Fall Invaders?

While sealing the entry points fall invaders use to get inside your home is the foundation of fall pest prevention, combining your exclusion measures with fall pest prevention is the best way to avoid an infestation. To do this effectively, preventative treatments need to be done while these pests are still outdoors. 

All-American Pest Control's Perimeter Plus service is a great option for managing outdoor populations of Asian lady beetles, boxelder bugs, and stink bugs. We tailor our treatments to each season, so when you time it right, you’ll get the fall pest prevention you need.

When Should You Call Pest Control for Fall Invaders?

Although you can do most of the exclusion work yourself, there are certain circumstances that may warrant a call to All-American Pest Control. These circumstances include:

• Large numbers of fall pests repeatedly gathering on the exterior of your house
• Bugs appearing indoors every fall
• Unidentified entry points
• Bugs emerging from attics, wall voids, or multiple rooms
• Your home's height or construction makes sealing difficult

When you contact All-American Pest Control, we’ll identify the pest species, likely entry points, areas where the pests are congregating, and the appropriate exclusion and treatment measures to take care of the problem. Although seeing the occasional fall invader isn’t an immediate sign that professional pest control is necessary, if you continue to experience issues, it’s worth giving us a call.

Keep Fall Invaders Outside This Season

As the temperature continues to drop, you’re likely to see stink bugs, Asian lady beetles, and boxelder bugs in or around your house. Prevention is easiest before the insects start moving towards your house, so now is the time to act to avoid an infestation. Seal the entry points into your house, and if you want additional protection, give All-American Pest Control a call. We offer the preventative pest control needed to stop fall invaders before they get into your Sumner County home. Contact us for a free home evaluation today.

Your Trusted Nashville, TN Pest Control Experts

Since 1961, All-American Pest Control has been your go-to team of trusted pest experts for  homes, businesses, and home builders throughout Nashville and Middle Tennessee. Our expert team offers termite treatments, mosquito reduction, rodent removal, ant and spider control, and wasp nest removal—keeping your property protected year-round. As a local, family-owned company, we take pride in offering reliable, professional pest solutions with outstanding customer service.

We proudly serve: Adams, Ashburn, Barren Plains, Bethpage, Bransford, Castalian Springs, Cedar Hill, Coopertown, Cottontown, Cross Plains, Gallatin, Goodlettsville, Greenbrier, Hartsville, Hendersonville, Madison, Millersville, Orlinda, Pleasentville, Portland, Ridgetop, Springfield, Westmoreland, White House, and the entire Robertson County, Sumner Country and Greater Nashville areas.

For trusted pest control in Nashville, TN, and these surrounding communities, contact All American Pest Control today! Call (615) 824-8814 or Schedule a Free Consultation online.