It can help a lot. If you close up the exterior gaps that let stink bugs, boxelder bugs, Asian lady beetles, and other overwintering pests inside, you’ll likely see fewer of them around in the winter.
One of the things that makes overwintering insects annoying is that they can get in through very small gaps. Houses always have some kind of gap and it’s not like creatures as small as insects need visibly large holes to get inside.
Caulk can crack as it ages. Window trim can come apart from siding. Weatherstripping wears out. Siding seams and utility lines can have small gaps around them that are big enough for bugs to climb through. The same is true around the roofline with soffits and eaves, not to mention the vents required for airflow.
As outdoor temperatures decline, overwintering insects begin looking for dry, protected shelter. They may first gather on warm exterior walls, windows, and other sunlit surfaces. Once there, they start exploring for cracks that let them into more protected spaces like wall voids and attics. If they can’t find them, then they can’t get inside.
Caulking appropriate gaps around windows can reduce those entry routes. So can repairing damaged siding transitions, replacing worn weatherstripping, and fixing torn screens. Just make sure ventilation and drainage are not affected as you make repairs.
To prevent this kind of overwintering behavior, it helps to inspect your property in the fall and start doing maintenance early. If you don’t know where to start, pay attention to where the bugs are already gathering. Once stink bugs or lady beetles are hidden inside walls, exterior sealing may help prevent future entry but will not instantly remove the insects already indoors.
If pests are becoming a problem around your Waukesha County & Milwaukee North Shore property, Mosquito Squad of Waukesha County & Milwaukee North Shore can help with pest control around the property. Call (262) 333-0395 or request a free quote online.
