Autumn is a delightful time of year where we get to enjoy fallen leaves, spiced drinks, and much cooler weather, but it's also the time of year where Mooresville homes are most susceptible to overwintering insects like stink bugs. These insects don't usually cause too much of a problem on their own, but they can become a nuisance when the weather starts to warm up, and they can attract other pests as well. There's not much you can do if they've already infested your home, so how can you keep them away from your property this fall?
Interesting Facts About Stink Bugs, And The Problems They Cause
There are plenty of different stink bugs native to the United States, but their populations are kept in check by natural predators. The nuisance species is the brown marmorated stink bug, which was introduced to North America in the late 90s. This pest is fairly small, only around 5/8 of an inch at full maturity, and is easily identified by its shield-like shape. Its coloring is a mottled grayish-brown, and it has six legs, two moderately sized antennae, wings, and an elongated proboscis that they use to feed off of plants.
The brown marmorated stink bug is native to Asia, and since it's an invasive species, it doesn't have any natural predators, so its populations grow with reckless abandon. This is more of a problem for farmers because these pests have a penchant for destroying crops, but they can also be a nuisance for homeowners during the fall and winter. Stink bugs overwinter or hibernate during the colder months of the year, and Mooresville homes provide some perfect hiding spots for them to do so:
- Wall cavities
- Attics
- Basements
- Cupboards
- Storage boxes
- Closets
Stink Bug Prevention Tips For Your Mooresville Home
Along with damaging and killing outdoor plants during the summer, stink bugs create some smelly situations in homes during the winter. These pests get their common name from their defense mechanism – they produce a very pungent odor when they're startled or feel threatened. It's excellent for deterring predators, but when they infest Mooresville homes, they'll often get surprised by vibrations, loud noises, and general day-to-day living activities. Their excrement can also stain wood and fabric, and many stink bugs die during the winter, which can attract scavenger pests.
Preventing a stink bug infestation may seem simple in theory, but in reality, it's going to take a lot of time, effort, and a keen eye for entry points:
- Fill in gaps, cracks, and holes around the exterior of your home; siding, exposed wood, foundation, roof, trim, and around pipes and wires (BEFORE cooler weather starts - you don't want to seal in an infestation)
- Replace worn-down insulation around doors and windows
- Add door sweeps to all exterior doors
- Remove leaf and mulch piles from around your property, along with other miscellaneous debris
- Trim bushes and tree limbs away from the exterior of your home
- Address any moisture problems around your property, including compacted soil, over-watered gardens, leaky pipes, moisture-retaining rooms, etc.
How To Eliminate A Stink Bug Infestation In Your Mooresville Home
If you're noticing a lot of stink bug activity on your Mooresville property during warmer days, there's a high chance that you already have an infestation. There's not much you can do in this situation, but our pest professionals at Lake Norman Home Services can give you a helping hand. We use safe and effective environmentally and family-friendly pest control products in all of our treatments, we always use the highest quality equipment available, and we make sure our services stay affordable. So get in contact with us today, and let us help you keep your home smelling sweet all winter long.