Stink Bugs – What Are These Insects, and How Are They Handled?

Did you spot stinky critters in the house and wonder if they are for real? The brown and gray colored stink bugs invade homes during the fall season to protect themselves from the cold. These bugs were initially seen in Pennsylvania in 1993 and quickly spread to other American states, such as Ohio. Kentucky and Indiana are also not spared. Please don't be frightened by them. You can eliminate them from your home. These pests reached Columbus between 2008 and 2009 and thrived ever since. With every change in calendar year, homeowners worry if these pesky little things will rampantly attack their homes this time. While it's unpredictable, entomologists say a sudden rise in their population is unlikely as Mother Nature and public awareness help to keep them in check.

If you find stink bugs in your house, call professionals from Elite Pest and Termite Control or another place. Let's now learn about a few essential things regarding these critters.

·         Ways to stop stink bugs from entering your house

These pests can infest your home but don't harm structures, animals, and people. But they can be a nuisance for crops such as tomatoes, peppers, corn, apples, and soybeans. You can start with your windows to block all the passages for them. Caulk them inside and outside. Entrance doors need weatherstripping. The home's foundation should be clear of edible vegetation and debris. Cover cracks in the foundation and protect crawlspace entries. The small gaps around plumbing pipes in the crawlspace and foundation should be caulked. Use steel wool in the bigger openings. Chimneys should also be covered.

·         Ways to eliminate stink bugs from the house

These tiny beings can still crawl inside your home after all the efforts. If you squash or disturb them, they may emit a foul smell from scent glands. Managing this odor will be challenging. However, you can trap them in a bottle or jar and leave the sealed container in the trash. Sprinkle pesticide in the outdoor areas. Some people use it inside the home, too. It doesn't help much. The dead or live bodies of these bugs can be vacuum-cleaned. Clean the vacuum cleaner also to avoid smell problems. Tackling one or two of them like this is possible. If there are more of them, pest control people will be needed.

·         Telltales of stink bug infestation

Early detection can help you minimize the infestation problem. These critters usually roam around living areas and stink when squashed or threatened. So, an unpleasant smell in the house can be linked to them. If you find plenty of them around light sources, doors, and windows, whether alive or dead, it also signals infestation risk. Check the crops and plants in your garden for damage to fruits, veggies, and leaves. Tiny necrotic spots mean they are here. Trails of brown and yellow feces on furniture, counters, windows, and walls also suggest their presence.

Nevertheless, you can easily remove them from your home with the help of professional pest controllers. They can provide perfect treatment for them based on the intensity of the infestation. You can depend on experts to use safe and effective methods. So, please don't be bothered and call pest control services when needed.