Winter is nearly over. The signs are all around: the birds are out more, the sun is out longer, and the temperatures are going to start creeping up again. We are going to start wanting to go outside more and enjoy the sun and warmer weather, but we aren’t the only ones. Stink bugs in your home are going to start coming out as well to enjoy spring.

Stink Bugs and Their Winter Homes

You may not realize it, but you may have stink bugs living in your home. You may not realize it because it is winter and cold out. Stink bugs are overwintering pests that can reside in homes when it gets cold out. Young summer stink bug offspring seek shelter in your home when it gets colder outside in the fall months for protection from the cold winter months. They remain dormant for the most part, but as soon as it begins to warm up, they start to come out of the wilderness and the dark places in your home to seek the warmth.

Problems Caused by Stink Bugs

One of the biggest problems caused by stink bugs are their inescapable odor. Stink bugs will release the pungent smell when they are threatened by predators. In your home, that can be your house pets and small children. They also release the smell to attract other stink bugs to the area, which can cause a large infestation in your home.

Stink bugs are more than a smelly nuisance; they are dangerous for your indoor and outdoor plants. Stink bugs feed on plants and cause damage to crops, which can decimate everything from you garden plants to your house plants. Not only do they feed on your plants, but they spread disease to them, too.

Preventing Stink Bugs in Your Home

Stink bugs don’t cause structural damage to your home, but they can be a problem in your home once they do get in. As we said before, stink bugs attract more stink bugs by releasing an odor. To prevent stink bugs from getting in your home, try these tips:

• Vacuum and clean your home often, paying close attention to corners, under cabinets, and under carpets.

• Close off any openings or cracks in your foundation, siding, windows, and doorways.

• Avoid DIY solutions in your home. Most of them do not work and don’t address the real problems that cause stink bugs in the first place.

• Replace and repair window screens.

• Reduce moisture in your home, fix leaky pipes, and dry out any wet areas with a dehumidifier.

• Keep wood piles and yard debris away from your home.

Call professionals to get rid of stink bugs in your home and to prevent them from entering again. Schendel Pest Services offers year-round pest control services that focus on exclusion, control, and treatment options that keep stink bugs away from your home for good. Call now to see how to get rid of stink bugs before spring rolls around.