Stink Bugs, Fall Leaves, Pumpkins: Signs of Fall

During the spring and summer you are almost always outside and you want the outside of your home to look nice. Whereas, during the fall and winter months your time is mostly spent inside and you want the inside of your house looking good. 

The weather is getting colder, tree branches are becoming bare, and landscaping at  your home are not as critical as in those other months. However, ignoring the outside of your home during the fall and winter months can create an open invite for a lot of different pests who are also looking to stay warm somewhere. 

Fall Bugs & Pests

Seasons change and with those seasons pests will come and go. Overwintering pests start to make their way indoors to keep warm in the cooler temps. While “summer” pests, stick around until they find a new place to go. 

Rodents

Your #1 priority this fall should be making sure that your rodent control and exclusion are under control. Fall bugs aren’t the only pests looking for a warm place to live. 

Most rodents are looking for a dark place that is undeserved to hide out in for the winter. Some of these places include: walls, closets, pantries, attics, etc. are inviting. If you can see droppings or gnawing marks in any of these places these are signs of problems. 

Occasional Fall Bugs

• Stink Bugs – Stink bugs can mostly be found in the walls. Stink bugs will start making their way inside as we get farther into the fall season. They are wanting a nice cozy and warm place to live for the next 4-6 months. Once they get into your home it is impossible to get rid of every single one, so make sure to check for entering points on your home. 
• Lady Beetles (aka Ladybugs)
• Box Elders

Fall Maintenance Tips

Here are some quick and easy tips on how to make sure your landscaping is well maintained and pest-free for the fall and winter months ahead. 

Firewood

Some pests like to hide out in the woodpiles and the damp ground that is beneath the wood. Keep firewood stacked on an elevated surface and as far away from the home as possible.

Decorations

Everyone loves to decorate their homes for the fall season. From Halloween decorations to Thanksgiving decorations this is the time to get your home ready for the holidays. Unfortunately, some of the decorations that you put out could be attracting pests to your home and giving them access points to the inside of your home.  

Which Decorations Bring in the Pests?

While bringing out all of your decorations, it is best if you check them to make sure that there aren’t any pests that were already living on them or in their boxes. Take everything outside to dust off and make sure you aren’t binging the pests inside your home. 

Decorations pests may be hiding out in include:

• Straw Piles 
• Firewood 
• Scarecrows
• Spider webs
• Pumpkins 
• Gourds

Enjoy your holidays pest free by trying to put the least amount of these decorations up in or at your home. Watch for signs of problems that could be in your home so that you can take the proper steps to get rid of them as quickly as possible.