Yes. Stink bugs that are overwintering inside a structure can become active when warm temperatures temporarily wake them from dormancy.
If you see a stink bug crawling across a window in January, that doesn’t mean it just got there. Many stink bugs get inside during fall.
As outdoor temperatures fall, adult stink bugs search for sheltered places where they can spend the winter. Small gaps around siding, windows, doors, soffits, attic vents, rooflines, and utility penetrations can lead into attics and wall voids. Once inside, stink bugs can remain quiet for long stretches of time until conditions change.
Stink bugs tend to show up in great numbers on warm, sunlit walls, especially those that are a light color. While they overwinter, you may not see much of them except on mild winter days or when indoor heating brings them out of dormancy. When the insects warm up enough, they may begin moving again and eventually wander into living areas. This might include crawling and occasional flight.
The activity usually does not mean stink bugs are breeding throughout the house. It’s more likely that stink bugs were overwintering in the home and happened to wake up due to milder temperatures. If you happen to find a stink bug inside, take care not to crush it or you will find out how it got the name. You can instead vacuum them up in a bag, which you can seal and throw away or drop them into a bowl with dish soap and water.
Removing individual insects does not address the exterior gaps that originally allowed them inside, however. The best time to do something about stink bugs is in the fall. This is when you can take action to prevent them from getting inside by sealing gaps around windows and doors, vents, soffits, and utility penetrations.
If stink bugs are becoming a problem around your Grand Rapids property, Mosquito Squad of Grand Rapids can help with pest control around the property. Call (616) 920-8069 or request a free quote online.
