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While stink bugs aren’t dangerous, they’re not fun to have around. Stink bugs migrate to warm areas during the fall and winter months. Understanding what these bugs look like and what they look for will help you protect your home during winter.
What Do Stink Bugs Look Like?
Stink bugs are small, triangular-shaped insects. You’ll often see them in a brownish color with speckles of green or red. Adults will generally be shaped like a shield with wings folded over top. As babies, stink bugs are yellow and red with red eyes — they’re similar in appearance to a ladybug. As they age, these nymphs will evolve and shed their skin up to five times before being considered a full adult.
Where Do Stink Bugs Go in the Winter?
Stink bugs begin hunting for a warm place to stay when the temperatures drop. During the winter, they enter a state known as diapause, which is similar to hibernation. They slow their metabolism and can survive for extended periods by dipping into stored nutrients rather than eating. Stink bugs must find a place to live and sleep soundly through the winter to carry out this process safely.
Your home is the first place a stink bug will look to wait out the winter. They may enter through your chimneys and vents or through cracks, holes, and crevices around your doors and windows. They might even look for areas to sneak through around your foundation, utility piping, and electrical wiring.
Once they get in, they’ll often look for quiet, unoccupied spots of your home to remain inactive, such as:
- Attics
- Storage areas
- Baseboards
- Siding
- Flooring
- Furniture
If you don’t find any pests in these areas, there’s a good chance they’re still around your property. Bugs that aren’t spending the winter indoors will find homes within trees or debris like leaves, mulch, and firewood.
How to Prevent Stink Bug Infestation in Your Home
While stink bugs are relatively harmless, you probably don’t want them taking up space in your home. Stink bugs that have infiltrated your space will act like beacons, releasing pheromones to attract more. If you find a collection of stink bugs in your home, the first thing you should do is vacuum them up without crushing any of them. Once they’re removed, you should clean the area with soapy water and a towel to remove every sign of a stink bug.
The best way to avoid a mass infestation is to prevent stink bugs from entering in the first place. Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take to safeguard your home for the future:
- Seal all cracks, crevices, and holes with caulk.
- Regularly clean hidden areas.
- Keep food containers tightly sealed.
- Add screens to the outside-facing roof and gable vents.
- Close shades and curtains at night.
Get Expert Help to Keep Stink Bugs out of Your Home or Business
If you regularly deal with stink bugs indoors during the winter, you can trust the experts at Quest Termite & Pest Control to help. Our specialists leverage years of experience to develop pest solutions that address your specific situation. We provide same-day services to quickly resolve your challenges and restore your property to its best.
Contact our team online to request a free estimate!
