You may not know this, but stink bugs are coming. They have been around since spring, damaging crops and causing trouble for farmers, but now they are on their way to your home. Why? Because your home is warm and comfy. It provides stink bugs with all the protection they need to weather the coming winter. If you have not already put protection in place to keep stink bugs out of your Worcester home, today is your day to do so.
The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
There is only one species of stink bug here in America, the brown marmorated stink bug. Introduced to the states around 1998, these pests are originally native to Japan, China, Taiwan, and South Korea. During the spring and summer months, stink bugs are primarily agricultural pests that feed on over 100 different species of plant life. Here in America, these pests are most destructive to tree fruits and vegetables, which costs farmers millions of dollars each year. The only major weakness stink bugs have is vulnerability to the cold.
As their name would suggest, stink bugs have a smell. When squished or threatened, stink bugs will create a pungent odor that many describe as smelling like burnt tires. Others find their smell a bit less offensive and describe the scent as oily, earthy, and woody.
When Stink Bugs Invade
In the fall as the weather cools down, stink bugs turn their attention away from crops and onto staying warm. This typically draws them to the exterior walls of homes where they can absorb the sun. From here, stink bugs will find holes, gaps, and openings in the exterior of homes which they are able to use to get inside. Open windows, cracks in your home’s foundation, damaged weather stripping, and torn window screens are just a few ways these smelly pests can enter homes.
The Problems Stink Bugs Pose
When stink bugs invade, they hardly ever do so one at a time. Most often stink bugs will invade in large numbers. If you have ever dealt with a stink bug infestation, you have probably had the experience of trapping and releasing a stink bug outside only to find another immediately after entering back into your home.
The good news is that stink bugs are not dangerous. They are not capable of biting or stinging and are not known for carrying or spreading any dangerous disease. The worst they will do is destroy plants in and around your home.
How To Prevent Stink Bugs
Because the warmth of homes draws stink bugs in, there is only one thing that really prevents them, and that is making sure they have no way to get inside. Here are a few ways our experts recommend you seal up your home to keep stink bugs out.
- Inspect your home’s exterior foundation for gaps and cracks. Fill in any you find using a caulking gun.
- Using the same caulking gun fill in spacing around window and door frames.
- Repair or replace torn or damaged window and door screens around your home.
- Install door sweeps under all exterior doors of your home.
- Make sure your home’s weatherstripping is in good condition.
- Install fine metal screens over open utility pipes and ventilation leading out of your home.
A Better Way To Prevent Stink Bugs
If you are looking for the absolute best way to keep stink bugs out of your home, you only have one option, professional pest control. At Big Blue Bug Solutions, we offer comprehensive services to keep a large number of pests including stink bugs out of your home. With customizable plans built to fit you and your home’s individual needs, be sure that we are your best choice.
Reach out to us today to find out more about our services, or to schedule an appointment to have stink bugs eliminated from your Worcester home and property.