Yes, closing up exterior gaps before stink bugs begin seeking winter shelter can remove many of the routes they use to get inside.
Once stink bugs are already overwintering inside walls or an attic, they can be very difficult to reach without creating a bigger problem. That means, in all likelihood, that if this happens, they can be difficult to address until they emerge from those protected spaces. Reducing their access in the fall can reduce the chance of dealing with them indoors during the winter.
Brown marmorated stink bugs spend the warmer months outdoors and then seek shelter as temperatures begin to fall. Houses give them lots of options when it comes to this. Small gaps around windows, doors, siding, soffits, attic vents, rooflines, and utility penetrations can lead to wall voids and other protected spaces.
You don't have to hermetically seal your house to keep pests outside. All you need to do is start by closing gaps that should not have been open. Replacing torn window screens or updating degraded weatherstripping goes a long way toward protecting your home.
Attic and soffit vents require a little extra care. They can be ways that stink bugs get in, but they can’t just be sealed shut. They need to be properly repaired so they still provide ventilation.
When stink bugs repeatedly gather on one specific side of your house, start your inspection right there. They naturally seek out sun-warmed exterior walls during the fall, making those highly active areas the most likely places to find hidden entry gaps around your windows.
Even good exclusion cannot guarantee that no stink bug will ever make it indoors. It can, however, reduce the number of easy routes available when insects begin looking for overwintering sites.
If stink bugs are gathering around or entering your Princeton home, Mosquito Squad of Princeton can help with pest control around your property. Call (609) 778-1797 or request a free quote online.
