How to Keep Stink Bugs Out of Your Home This Fall

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photo: Lisa Carter (Shutterstock)

The official start of autumn is only about a month away, which means cooler temperatures, changing leaves and for the people 47 statesthe arrival of brown marbled stink bugs.

while there is more than 200 Different species of stink bugs in the United States, this particular strain is a relative newcomer. Since they were first identified in Allentown, Pennsylvania, in the fall of 2001, brown-marbled stink bugs have taken what it means to be an invasive species to a new level – not only wreaking havoc on crops and native plants, but are also invading our homes.

Once these insects have moved in, it’s really difficult to get them to move out, so your best bet is to prevent them from even gaining access to your home. Here’s how.

What are brown marbled stink bugs?

Brown marbled stink bugs (we call them “stink bugs”) are typically between 1/2 inch and 1 inch in size as long as adultshave a shield-shaped body with striped antennae and are mottled brownish-grey (“marbled” means marbled).

If they are threatened or killed, they emit an odor often described as similar to coriander – if detectable at all. Luckily, they don’t bite or sting or cause any structural damage to your home. But you can to fly.

Why do stink bugs come in in the fall?

Stink bugs enter every year period of their life cycle where they remain inactive. And how In other forms of hibernation, it takes place over the winter. To prepare for this, they move in the fall—usually in late September and October.

Once a stink bug snoops on your home and determines that it’s a suitable seasonal shelter, it releases a chemical odor that attracts its friends and family. Interestingly her don’t seek warmthand can’t tell how cold a house gets in the winter when they move in. They’re really just concerned about finding a shelter.

How to keep stink bugs out of your home

To prevent stink bugs from entering your home, you need to block their entry points. namely cracks, gaps and crevices. Here are some of the ways you can do that:

  • Look for cracks in your home’s foundation and seal any you find
  • Seal your windows inside and out
  • Add weatherstrips around front doors and/or install door sweeps wherever daylight is visible the perimeter of the door.
  • Rake or sweep away accumulated debris and vegetation around the foundation of your house
  • Cover or shield the top of the chimney if your home has a chimney

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