Nothing ruins the first hint of cool weather like the forward march of stink bugs into your home. It can make homeowners feel helpless when these pests feel like an inevitable rising tide, season after season. Thankfully, there is actually quite a lot of stink bug prevention to be done in Roanoke, VA, with a strong defensive strategy in place!
Fall Pest Control in Roanoke
Every homeowner knows that while summertime may be the season of a million bugs outside, fall is when they all try to crawl into your home. The warmth of your climate-controlled house offers an alternative to freezing outside during the winter months. While hiding in leaf piles offers shelter to these little bugs, it does not offer much beyond that.
Pests like stink bugs will be unable to reproduce outside again until the weather warms up in the spring. In contrast, they won’t be forced to hibernate in your home and can instead start the reproduction cycle indoors with the much more favorable conditions.
No Way In
The best offense is a good defense when it comes to these smelly pests. They don’t need much room to squeeze into your home, so add a perimeter check to your seasonal chores. Seal cracks in the foundation, walls, and window frames with the appropriate sealant. Repair window screens with easy-to-apply DIY patches that you can purchase from most hardware stores.
The most effective way to keep stink bugs out of your home is to ensure that they can’t waltz right in through the gaps. If you aren’t able to patch gaps yourself, reach out to Allied Termite and Pest Control and let a professional do it for you!
Eliminate Moisture
Just like everything else, stink bugs need water to live. They seek out water sources and make their homes near them. For long-term prevention of these pests, ensure that you don’t have any sources of moisture in your home that would allow them to thrive and reproduce. Common places to check include:
- Leaky pipes
- Slow-draining sinks or tubs
- Clogged floor drains in basements or garages
- Overwatered potted plants
- Under your fridge or sink
- Particularly humid or musty basements and crawlspaces
You can place dehumidifiers in both basements and crawlspaces. They are a great tool to remove moisture from the air. Ensuring that your home is dry deters pests and helps to prevent mold spores from cozying up too.
Ventilation
Ensuring good ventilation goes hand in hand with moisture prevention. It may seem a bit counterintuitive because stink bugs also need oxygen to live, but a well-ventilated home is a deterrent to most pests. Crawl spaces and basements are the biggest culprits when it comes to poor airflow. Place vents every 10 or so feet and ensure that there is also one directly opposite on the opposing wall to encourage good circulation in crawl spaces.
Fans are a fantastic option to keep air moving in your basement, and can often be set to oscillate for better coverage and can be placed on timers for a more eco-friendly, budget-friendly option.
Prune Trees and Shrubs
Besides being a general eyesore, overgrown trees and shrubs often harbor pests. Much like a nice pile of leaves on the ground, unmanaged shrubbery creates a safe and warm place for stink bugs to rest. You don’t need to go scorched earth on these pests by destroying your yard and turning it into a concrete jungle.
Smart pruning and trimming your hedges to an appropriate size for your home will adequately help to reduce their population. In addition to these maintenance efforts, make sure that you store firewood at least 20 feet away from your home and 5 inches off the ground if possible.
Going Hungry
Much like eliminating their water source, preventing any stink bugs that have already entered your home from feasting is vital to elimination efforts. Keep your kitchen counters and floors clear of food scraps. Put food away as soon as you are done eating it and ensure that it is in airtight containers in pantries and cabinets.
Try not to eat in other parts of your home that are less easy to clean, such as areas with carpet and fabric surfaces like beds and sofas. If you do eat in these areas, be very mindful of dropped food scraps; even small crumbs can be a satiating meal to these stinky pests!
Direct Action: Stink Bug Exterminator in Southwest Virginia
If your home is already overrun by stink bugs and none of the prevention methods seem to be making a difference, it is time to reach out to an exterminator. An experienced professional will be able to target the areas of your home that are hosting the stink bugs and eliminate them directly. They may also be able to point out problem areas or cracks that you hadn’t noticed and help you fill the gaps.
And Stay Out!
With summertime coming to a close, it is almost time to break out your comfy sweaters and blankets and settle in for a cozy fall. Don’t let your season be ruined by smelly home invaders. For the best stink bug prevention in Roanoke, VA, Allied Termite and Pest Control has your back! Contact us today for a free inspection!