First and foremost, stink bugs will not harm you, but they can still cause a major problem in your home. In case you haven’t encountered these little stinkers, they are brown and oval or shield-shaped. They have six long legs extending out from their sides, which attributes to their deceptively large appearance. They are, in fact, relatively large, as their width is almost the same as their length. To prepare for the colder months, remember that A-1 Able Pest Doctors can thoroughly pre-treat your home for stink bugs this fall before their full maturation and congregation.

When they are stomped, squashed, or feel threatened they release their atrocious smell. Just like all other bugs, stink bugs are more tempted and likely to come inside of your home in the colder months looking for food, water, and shelter. Once stink bugs make it inside, they make themselves right at home by emitting a pheromone that attracts additional stink bugs in very large infestations. If left in your home, they will multiply extremely quickly. This article will inform you of what stink bugs are, why you should be aware of them, and how to keep them out.

How to Prevent Them from Entering Your Home

When was the last time you checked to make sure all of your entry points are closed? Be sure to look for any cracks or crevices in your windows, doors, and any other entryways into your home. If you have window air conditioning units, stink bugs love to find their way in the cracks between your unit and the window. Place your unit correctly to ensure a stink bug cannot crawl in.

Other things you can do include reducing moisture sites, keeping outdoor lights to a minimum, and regular vacuuming. Use caulking to replace cracked seals around utility entry points, doors and windows. Examine joints where two different materials meet, such as wood and concrete block or wood siding and brick. Caulk the cracks where it may be needed. A life hack is to rub dryer sheets on your window screens because this smell often offends them.

Removal

To prevent an infestation, allow our exterminators to thoroughly pre-treat your home for stink bugs. If you do happen to notice a stink bug in your home, we recommend never squashing a stink bug yourself. Instead, use a vacuum cleaner for their removal. Dispose of the vacuum bag right away to prevent odor from infiltrating the area, as dead stink bugs leave a residue inside the bag that can stink up your home. If a full-blown infestation has developed inside your home, contact A-1 Able Pest Doctors to evaluate and assess the severity of the problem. We will identify the access points where the bugs may have gotten in. To learn more about treating stink bugs in the home, or about a general pest prevention system call A-1 Able Pest Doctors at (800) 737-8189.