Stink bugs are probably the most appropriately-named insects ever!

These nuisances are around through the growing season, but they become prominent in late summer and autumn as temperatures start to drop. That’s when they’re most likely to be seen inside.

They are known for releasing a foul odor when disturbed. If you think you can clear your room by scooping them up, or crushing them…think again! Trying to corral one is likely to raise its ire, and stepping on one is a sure way to fill the room with a noxious smell.

Stink bugs do not cause structural damage. They don’t reproduce in homes. They do not bite people or pets and are not known to transmit disease. But they are invasive. Finding large numbers of them…live or dead…is a sure sign your house has been infested. You can see them in any room, but they favor warm places, such as sunny sides of homes, and rooms where they can find food and water.

The best way to defend against these marauders…and a wide variety of other pests…is to proactively seal your house before cooler weather arrives:

• Install weather strips at each entry door.
• Remove vegetation or debris near the foundation of your home.
• Close all entry points from the outside, including fireplaces and bathroom windows.
• Make sure crawl spaces are sealed, with no contact to the outside.
• Check for and seal cracks in the walls.
• Install windows and doors that have screens, and regularly check for tears in the screens.
• Inspect plumbing and seal gaps with caulk or steel wool. (This will also prevent mice from entering.)

If you find stink bugs inside, do not irritate or crush them! Vacuuming is a simple yet effective for removing them. Most often the bugs aren’t aware of what’s happened until they’re inside the machine. 

If this doesn’t clear your property, contact us to evaluate your problem. As licensed professionals we can assess the severity, identify access points, and help you get rid of them. Call or text today at (405) 679-8729!