Why Are Stink Bugs Trying to Get Into Waukesha Homes This Fall?

As temperatures drop in the fall, you may find yourself seeking the warmth of the fireplace and your favorite blanket indoors at home instead of fighting the chill outside. The same goes for pests. As winter approaches, many kinds of insects, including stink bugs, look for warmth and shelter to survive the season. Stink bugs are an invasive species from Asia, but they have certainly found a home in the U.S. and in states like Wisconsin. In the fall, these pests can be a serious issue as they try to find their way into your Waukesha home. If you are looking for Waukesha, WI stink bug control, it is important to learn about their seasonal habits and ways to prevent them from invading your home.

What are Stink Bugs?

Stink bugs are known for their oval, shield-like appearance and the foul-smelling odor they emit when squished or threatened. The most common kind of stink bug in the Waukesha area is the brown marmorated stink bug, which has a mottled gray or brown coloring. Outdoors, they eat a wide variety of plants and produce. They can be very damaging, eating everything from your rose bushes to the vegetables in your backyard garden. They do not cause harm to humans, but they can be quite a nuisance, especially around and inside your home.

Stink Bug Swarms

When temperatures start getting colder in the fall, stink bugs look for warmth and safe shelter to enter diapause, a hibernation-like state to survive the winter. They are particularly attracted to the warmth of sunny exterior walls, which can cause swarms to happen around the perimeter of your home. Once they find a warm spot, they release an aggregation pheromone to attract others, and before you know it, you have a stink bug swarm around your home. They can enter your home through any gap around windows, doors, vents, and your foundation, and as they find an overwintering spot like under siding or in your walls and window sills, they may call other stink bug friends to join them. Before you know it, you have a stink bug problem.

How to Keep Stink Bugs from Getting Into Your Home

Stink bugs hate the cold weather and will take advantage of any holes around your home to come inside and take residence in the winter months. To help prevent this, it is important to inspect your home in the fall to keep out these unwanted guests. Check your window and door screens and replace if needed. Seal up gaps and cracks along doors, windows, vents, and siding with caulk or weather stripping. Stink bugs are attracted to lights, so keep outdoor lighting at a minimum if possible. If stink bugs do make their way inside, try to vacuum them instead of crushing them, which releases an odor and can potentially stain carpet and upholstery.

Waukesha WI Stink Bug Control

Even if you have done what you can to help control stink bugs inside and outside your home this fall, don’t wait until you have a problem. Mosquito Squad Plus of Waukesha County and Milwaukee North Shore has the tools and training to help find problem areas and treat your home and yard strategically to help control stink bug swarms before they become an issue. We are so confident you will be pleased with our service that we provide a 100% satisfaction guarantee. For Waukesha, WI stink bug control call us at (262) 333-0395 or contact us online for a free-no obligation quote.