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Fall is a season that fills your senses. Beautiful, brightly colored foliage, the satisfying sound of leaves crunching under your feet, the cool, crisp air brushing against your skin, the first tart, crunchy bite of an apple you pulled straight from the tree, and the unmistakable scent of… stink bugs?
If you’ve been dealing with these malodorous bugs this fall, they probably don’t exactly meet the fall aesthetic you’re going for. What’s attracting them to your house, and more importantly, what can you do to get rid of them so the scent of campfires or pumpkin spice can dominate your season? All-American Pest Control has rounded up the information you need to know about stink bugs and how to keep them out of your house.
Why Stink Bugs Show Up in Fall
Stink bugs are migratory pests. They don’t travel thousands of miles like monarchs or hummingbirds, but they do move with the changing seasons. When fall arrives and the temperature begins to dip, it signals to stink bugs that it’s time to move. This is when they begin to look for warm shelter where they can overwinter.
Their instinct is to migrate towards light-colored structures. They often group on sun-warmed walls during the day. From there, it’s just a short journey through an open window or a crack in the siding to make their way into homes.
If you’ve ever noticed a cluster of stink bugs basking in the afternoon sun on the side of your house, that’s exactly what’s happening; they’re scouting out their winter hideaway.
What Attracts Stink Bugs to Homes
Stink bugs show up in homes for several reasons. They’re drawn to structures where they can find shelter that will keep them warm through the cold winter. They are especially attracted to:
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Homes with south-facing walls that get warmed by the sun during the day
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Light-colored siding
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Light sources, like porch lights or a glow from a window
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Easy-to-access entry points, such as cracks, vents, or gaps in siding
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Pheromones that other stink bugs leave behind
Basically, if your home offers warmth, light, and a few small openings, stink bugs see it as an open invitation.
Where Stink Bugs Hide Indoors
Once they get inside your house, stink bugs will show up in your living spaces for several days, but they won’t stay there. Instead, they’ll look for a warm, secluded space where they can overwinter in peace. Common spaces where stink bugs can be found both before and during winter include:
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In attics and crawlspaces
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Behind siding, trim, and baseboards
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Around windows, doors, and vents
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In wall voids
You might spot a few wandering across the ceiling or a curtain, but most of the time, they prefer to tuck themselves away where you can’t see them.
Best Ways to Prevent Stink Bug Entry
The best way to avoid a stink bug infestation is to not let them get into your house in the first place. To do this, you have to make sure that you eliminate all the entry points they might use, as well as make the exterior of your house unattractive to them. Do this by:
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Sealing cracks around windows, doors, and foundations
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Installing vent screens and replacing weather stripping
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Reducing lighting around entry points or swapping out porch lights for yellow bug-deterring bulbs
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Cleaning up outdoor plants and garden debris near walls
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Removing fallen and rotting fruit from fruit trees
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Getting a fall perimeter pest control treatment to create a protective barrier around your house
It’s amazing how much of a difference a few small home maintenance steps can make, and your future self will thank you when you’re not sharing your space with a swarm of stinky houseguests.
How to Safely Remove Stink Bugs
What should you do if you find stink bugs in your house? You don’t want to just leave them there, since they’ll find their way into your walls or attic, but you also don’t want to squish them because that releases their odor. All-American recommends vacuuming up any stink bugs that you see in your house, then emptying the bag or canister and taking it outside immediately afterwards. This will help you avoid crushing the bugs, but it will get rid of the ones you find in your house.
It’s a simple, effective way to reclaim your space without the smell. Just remember to empty that vacuum bag right away!
When to Seek Professional Stink Bug Control
If you have found stink bugs in your house and vacuumed up the ones you’ve seen, you may think you’re in the clear. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Seeing stink bugs in your house is a sign that they may have infested, and there are many others beyond the few you’ve noticed that are already hidden away.
In addition to seeing them in your house, you should seek professional stink bug control if you notice large clusters of stink bugs forming on exterior walls or if you simply want to avoid the hassle of dealing with a potential infestation. All-American Pest Control offers both curative and preventative treatments for fall that eliminate and protect against stink bugs and other common fall pests. With over 60 years of pest control experience, you can trust our services to provide the results you’re looking for.
Sometimes, the peace of mind that comes with professional help is worth it, especially when the alternative is finding out you’ve been sharing your home all winter.
Contact All-American Pest Control for Effective Stink Bug Control
Stink bugs may not be the most dangerous pests to get into your house, but they’re one of the smelliest. If you’d rather not deal with the issues they cause, get in touch with All-American Pest Control. Our Perimeter Plus pest control provides full protection against stink bugs and over 47 other common pests. You don’t have to wait for stink bugs to move in with you. Whether you’re concerned about an infestation or not, we can help protect your home. Give us a call today.
After all, fall should smell like apple pie and campfires, not stink bugs.
Reach Out Today for Stink Bug Control
Your Trusted Nashville, TN Pest Control Experts in Nashville, TN & Nearby Neighborhoods
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: Gladeville, Laguardo, Lebanon, Mt. Juliet, Norene, Rural Hill, Statesville, Tuckers Crossroads, Watertown, Green Hill, Greenvale, Belinda City, Harbor View, Indian Lake Farms, Hurricane, Langford Farms, Beckwidth, Old Hickory, Mount Juliet City Center, Lakewood, Cedar Creek, and the entire Greater Nashville area.
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 home evaluation online.