Be Prepared for the Invasion!

With fluctuating temperatures, we will soon have concerned homeowners calling and emailing photos of various insects that are looking for a place to overwinter inside their home. The most common insects looking to overwinter are: Western Conifer Seed Bugs, Stink Bugs, Boxelder Bugs, Lady Bugs and Cluster Flies. These insects move into your home in the fall and will overwinter until it warms up in the spring. The good news is, these bugs do not breed inside, they don’t infest our food, and they do not bite. They are really nothing more than a nuisance except for the small dark colored spots left from their excrement. For the most part our homes are too dry and warm for the insects to survive in the living space of the home, but within wall voids and attics it can maintain a perfect environment for them to survive the winter months. Changes in the temperature (usually when the area they are in gets warmer) will awaken these insects and they will fly to well-lit areas and windows seeking a way out. If they were lucky enough to make it through the winter but can’t find a way back outside, they will die. Because these insects can enter your home in “swarms” or “clusters” it can understandably be very unsettling to the homeowner. The best time to spray for these insects is late summer or very early fall before they start to move inside.

For permanent relief our recommendations to the homeowner to physically exclude these pests include:

Removing window air conditioner units (or be sure all gaps are sealed to prevent entry)
Repair all door sweeps
Don’t leave doors or windows open without screens
Place insect screening on vents and soffits
Be sure window screens are tight and in good repair
As these insects like the sunny side of your home, concentrate your exclusion efforts in those areas first

If you are beeing bugged, call today 1-800-649-9992