Yes. Deteriorated mortar and other exterior gaps can provide stink bugs with routes into wall voids, attics, and protected parts of a home.
Brick, in and of itself, does not attract stink bugs. But when it ages, like all masonry, it changes. Mortar cracks and caulk deteriorates. That means gaps can start to show up where brick meets windows, trim, rooflines, soffit, siding, utilities, or later additions to the home. Stink bugs can use any of those as a way into the home.
During fall, stink bugs search for protected overwintering sites. A small exterior opening can be enough to give them access to the structure. This is why older brick homes should be checked carefully for openings that could let insects like stink bugs overwinter inside.
To do this, start by checking window and door frames, weep areas, utility penetrations, roofline transitions, vents, soffits, and junctions between different materials. When sealing gaps, make sure you don’t accidentally seal any that are there for drainage or ventilation.
When stink bugs successfully get inside, they may remain hidden through much of winter. Indoor heat or a sunny day can wake them and cause insects to appear around windows or ceilings. When this happens, you might think the stink bugs got inside in the middle of winter, but the reality is that they have probably been inside for a long time unnoticed. It’s far easier to prevent bugs from getting in than to get them out. So if one wall repeatedly attracts large numbers of bugs, inspect that section closely for gaps and deterioration.
If stink bugs are becoming a problem around your Metro Detroit property, Mosquito Squad of Metro Detroit can help with pest control around the property. Call (844) 630-1030 or request a free quote online.
