With the change in season comes an incline in temperature and better weather, which is great in most cases. Unfortunately, it also means many pests will start to resurface soon, and USA Today said that includes the stink bug, known for its particularly smelly presence. Stink bugs don't pose a threat on your health or household, but their stench alone can be extremely annoying and discomforting.
According to information that entomologist Peter Jentsch shared with the source, stink bugs are extremely active September, but also in March and April, so it's time to start plotting your plans for prevention to keep them from entering your home. Here are a few tips you should consider to keep this smelly pest out of your home for good:
Seal cracks outside
According to Pest World, pest prevention starts by inspecting the outside area of your home. Check for cracks around utility pipes, chimneys, siding, gutters, doors, windows and any other openings you can think of. Seal the cracks and openings with caulk to keep the pests from entering your home.
Keep the lights off
According to the source, stink bugs are attracted to light. Whenever possible, keep the lighting indoors and outdoors off. Only use patio and porch lightening when necessary, and close blinds at night to keep light from shining outside. Take advantage of the natural light throughout the day by keeping blinds and curtains open. Not only will it keep the stink bugs out, but it can also save you money on your electricity bill!
Minimize moisture
Just like most pests, stink bugs are highly attracted to moisture. To keep the bugs from entering your home, eliminate all moisture built up inside and outside the vicinity of your space. Examine the foundation of your home for leaking pipes, clogged drains, or large puddles that are acting as an open invitation to stink bugs. Eliminate the moisture problems immediately for a pest-free zone.
Use a dehumidifier
The level of humidity in your home may be the reason stink bugs are so attracted to paying you visits, according to Pest World. Keeping your basement, attic, garage and crawl spaces properly ventilated can keep the stink bugs from moving in and taking vacancy in your home. Consider investing in a dehumidifier or two to keep the humidity levels low.
Double check your belongings
Whether it's a bag of groceries, a box of papers or a load of laundry from the Laundromat, make sure you are checking them before bringing them into your home. Stink bugs, just like many other pests, use these things as a vehicle to get inside your cozy home. Don't let these pests snag a free one-way ticket into your space, their stench is not welcome.
Use a vacuum
According to Do-It-Yourself Pest Control, prevention is a lot easier than treatment when it comes to stink bugs, so do your best to keep these pests from entering in the first place. However, if the stink bugs have found their way into your home somehow, using a vacuum cleaner is the best method for quick removal. Once you have sucked up the stink bugs, dispose of the vacuum bag or filter contents immediately to prevent the residue from stinking up your home.
Whatever you do - don't squish!
For most people, it's common to feel the need to squash a bug when it's found to get rid of. But unfortunately, that is a terrible idea when it comes to the stink bug, because it releases a horrible-smelling odor from its pores when squished. You'll wish you hadn't, and the smell will linger and actually be worse than the stink bugs being there in the first place.
You probably already know that most people are repulsed by the simple sight of cockroaches. If you are personally dealing with a cockroach infestation, the feelings of disgust are probably even more intense. Unfortunately, the cold winter weather tends to be one of the reasons this pest ends up in your home in the first place, according to Any Pest. While you may know that you don't want to share your home with cockroaches this winter, there are a number of interesting facts about this pest that you've probably never heard.
Because of the high amount of traffic and the versatility of the facilities, pests are naturally attracted to long-term care institutions. Many nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and other care facilities include on-site kitchens and cafeterias as well as private rooms and common spaces. All of these places are susceptible to attracting pests because of the presence of food, water and viable habitats.
During the summer months, some people love to go camping with family and friends. Yet this fun trip can be ruined with a few unwanted visitors, most notably different types of bugs. Crawling spiders, hungry mosquitoes and buzzing flies can become annoying quickly. How can you avoid these pests when you're outdoors? Consider these tips to keep bugs out of your campsite.
Carpenter ants can chew through the strongest studs and stringers in a house as they hollow the wooden beams out for nesting. The resulting damage can weaken the home's structural support and require expensive repairs. Professional pest control workers can remove a colony of ants, but the best practice for homeowners is to learn the best ways to keep out an ant colony and prevent the problem before it begins.
As the weather cools, you'll probably see fewer pests than you did during the warmer months, but that doesn't mean they're all gone just yet. Some insects can actually come out in full force during the autumn, while others might seek refuge in your warm home. Here are some key tips to keep in mind as fall gets underway:
As the middle of summer approaches, you need to be vigilant about keeping your garden free of pests. Many insects breed during the summertime, which means they're on the lookout for great places to lay their eggs. For many bugs, that means near a source of food. In fact, some species of insects will lay their eggs inside budding vegetables and fruit so their larvae have something to eat as soon as they hatch. That's why you have to keep harmful bugs out without damaging the bugs that could help you, such as bumble bees.
You might have noticed that, with the exception of the kitchen, you find more pests in your bathroom than in the rest of your home. This is because insects and rodents see the bathroom as a convenient watering hole. Pests love leaky pipes and standing water because these offer them a hydrating oasis in the otherwise dry biome that is your house or apartment. And if your bathroom develops mold, all the better for pests, who may eat fungus or use it to lay their eggs.
