How to Prevent Stink Bugs From Getting In Your House
As the summer comes to a close, you might notice stink bugs getting into your house. Why does this happen? Should you be alarmed? And what harm do stink bugs do when they’re in a home? The truth is, they don’t do much of anything. They come into the house seeking warmth and shelter, and once inside, they don’t do any structural damage, invade your food, or bite people or pets. They might eat your house plants, but most of the time, the worst thing they do is cause a minor inconvenience when they are squashed or feel threatened, because they emit an odor as a defense mechanism. Still, few people are happy sharing their homes with bugs, no matter how mild-mannered. It’s best to prevent stink bugs in the house rather than killing them once they’re inside. Do you know how to prevent stink bugs from coming in? We have some helpful tips to keep your home clear of stink bugs.
Dealing with Stink Bugs
You can knock stink bugs into a bucket of soapy water to kill them, or vacuum them up and then dump them into soapy water. You will want to clean your vacuum after that, though, because otherwise it will smell like dead stink bugs. Learning how to prevent stink bugs is more effective, and won’t stink up your cleaning tools. Here are some helpful strategies:
- Keep your home’s exterior clean. Piles of leaves, debris, standing water, and even plants that are too close to your home can create a welcoming environment for stink bugs. Get rid of compost heaps and debris near your home, excess leaves and grass clippings, and wood piles, to make your home less hospitable to these little creatures. Stink bugs won’t reproduce inside your home in the colder months, but during the summer, debris in your yard makes a perfect place for them to increase their population.
- Seal up cracks and crevices. Stink bugs can get into your home through cracks as small as 1/16th of an inch. Vulnerable spots include windows, doors, overhangs and dryer vents, but you should also check your walls and foundation for cracks. Use caulk to seal any holes, gaps, or cracks, and look in the attic and basement for hidden openings that may provide entry for stink bugs. You can also apply insecticides to the outside of your house in September and October, particularly on the south and west-facing walls, to help control entry.
- Make sure your screens are up to par. Your windows and doors should all have properly installed screens, free from holes or tears. It’s also wise to put screens on vents and other openings where stink bugs could gain entry.
- Contact a professional. Professional grade residual repellents are the most effective products for preventing a stink bug infestation. Pest control professionals will know exactly how to come up with the right stink bug solutions for your home.
Partner with Professionals to Prevent Stink Bugs
When you want to prevent a stink bug infestation, trust the professionals who know just about everything there is to know about how to prevent stink bugs in a house. Since 1929, Franklin Pest Solutions has been serving customers in the state of Indiana. Our experts provide quality residential and commercial service to communities within a 50 mile radius from each of our branch locations, including Hammond, Michigan City, Lafayette, New Albany, Indianapolis, and South Bend. We offer bed bug solutions that are eco-conscious and effective, using integrated pest management best practices, We prioritize your health. Our multi-generational, family-run and operated American business has earned a reputation for excellence, not just in the way we treat pests, but in the way we treat our customers. Having been in business for nearly a century, we’ve seen the services and methods of our industry change and evolve, but our values have remained the same.
We work to embody the ideals of an industry leader, providing pest control solutions in a careful, conscientious, professional manner, and making customer satisfaction our top priority. The experts at Franklin Pest Solutions are certified by several local, state, and national associations, and we are committed to respecting the role insects play in our ecosystem while also protecting public health. Through community outreach, we work to create cleaner and healthier homes and workplaces while also educating people and serving our community through volunteerism. To schedule a consultation, reach out to a location near you, call 1-800-GOT-PESTS? or contact us through our website.
