Fall is filled with orange leaves, pumpkin spice, and unfortunately bugs. Though their numbers decrease in the fall, some pests still invade homes. They are in search of a place to wait out the winter months and your home provides the safety and warmth they need. We’ve made a list of the most common pests you could encounter this fall.
Stink Bugs
One smelly pest you’ll want to avoid this fall is the stink bug. As its name suggests, the stink bug is known for releasing an unpleasant scent when crushed or disturbed.
What Does a Stink Bug Look Like?
While most stink bugs are brown, some species are green or gray. These bugs grow to about ½ʺ and have a shield-shaped body. One of the most common stink bugs sneaking into your home is the brown marmorated stink bug. This bug is grayish-brown and speckled.
Why Are Stink Bugs in My House?
Stink bugs gather in large groups on the side of buildings and homes where the sun directly hits. As temperatures drop, they move inside to settle down for the winter.
Are Stink Bugs Dangerous?
One or two stink bugs may not seem like a problem, but their numbers can quickly multiply. Stink bugs release pheromones that attract other stink bugs, leading to large infestations. Their odor comes from a chemical they release, which can stain furniture, walls, and fabric.
Boxelder Bugs
Another pest that’s likely to camp out in your home is the boxelder bug.
What Do Boxelder Bugs Look Like?
These bugs are black with reddish-orange markings. They grow up to ½ʺ and have a flat, oval body.
Why Are Boxelder Bugs in My Home?
Boxelder bugs like to hang out on boxelder trees. As winter approaches, they can fly several miles to find a suitable place to overwinter. Like stink bugs, they gather on the sides of buildings and eventually make their way into warm homes, sheds, and garages.
Are Boxelder Bugs Dangerous?
Though it isn’t common, boxelder bugs can pierce skin. Their bite can leave you with a red and irritated mark. They feed on plants, which can cause discoloration or leaves to curl. Their excrements can leave red stains on furniture, clothing, and curtains. They release an unpleasant odor when threatened or smashed.
Asian Lady Beetles
While native ladybugs are friendly and beneficial, their relative isn’t as nice to have as a guest.
What Do Asian Lady Beetles Look Like?
Asian lady beetles closely resemble many native ladybug species. However, they range in color from red, orange, tan, and yellow. You can tell them apart from other ladybugs by the M-shaped marking on its head. Though the size of the markings may vary, all Asian lady beetles will have one. These lady beetles are larger than native ladybugs growing up to 1/3ʺ.
Why Are Asian Lady Beetles in My Home?
When temperatures cool, Asian lady beetles sneak into homes. They release pheromones that can attract many lady beetles to the same area.
Are Asian Lady Beetles Dangerous?
When frightened or harmed, they release a yellow fluid from their leg joints. The liquid doesn’t smell great and can stain various surfaces. Unlike ladybugs, Asian lady beetles can bite and aggravate allergies.
Cluster Flies
If you hear buzzing during the fall, cluster flies may be hiding in your home.
What Do Cluster Flies Look Like?
Cluster flies resemble house flies, but there are ways to tell them apart. Cluster flies are larger than the house fly growing to about 1/3ʺ. They have a dark body with tiny golden hairs on the thorax. These flies have a checkered pattern on their abdomen.
Why Are Cluster Flies in My Home?
Before slipping into homes, cluster flies gather near windows and doors that receive direct sunlight. Like other pests on this list, they release pheromones that bring more flies to your home. They prefer to hide in wall voids and attics because they are dark and protected.
Are Cluster Flies Dangerous?
One of the main problems with cluster flies is their ability to attract other pests. When these flies die, they are likely to attract beetles and carpenter ants.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches have a habit of scurrying across your floor in the fall.
What Do Cockroaches Look Like?
German, American, oriental, and brown-banded cockroaches are the species most likely to enter your home. Species vary in color and range in size from ½ʺ-1 ½ʺ. Their head is small compared to their large, flat body. They have six legs with pads on them that allow for climbing. Some species of cockroaches have wings and others do not.
Why Are Cockroaches in My Home?
Cockroaches enter homes looking for warmth, food, and shelter. They’re most active at night and are likely to be seen in kitchens, bathrooms, and basements. Some cockroaches prefer dry spots and others like humid areas.
Are Cockroaches Dangerous?
These pests often walk in decaying matter and sewers. Bacteria attaches to their legs, which transfers to food, counters, and other surfaces if they walk on them.
Spiders
While plastic spiders can add to your spooky Halloween décor, real spiders may be a bit too frightening.
What Do Spiders Look Like?
Spiders vary in size and color depending on their species. Two that you should be wary of are the brown recluse and black widow. The black widow has a red hourglass-shaped marking on its back, while the brown recluse has a violin-shaped marking.
Why Are Spiders in My Home?
Unlike the other pests on this list, spiders’ main reason for being in your home isn’t the cooling temperatures. Fall is mating season for spiders. The ones you see walking around your home are searching for a mate. It’s likely they’ve been hiding in your home for a while.
Are Spiders Dangerous?
Having one or two spiders hanging around isn’t always a problem. Spiders consume bugs, which can keep pest populations down. However, a spider infestation is more concerning. There are also some spiders—the black widow and brown recluse—that have a poisonous bite. You’ll want to seek medical attention if one of these spiders bites you.
How to Prevent Fall Pests
No one wants their fall to be filled with buggy encounters. Taking a few preventative measures can help keep your home pest-free.
- Seal Entry Points: Fall pests slip inside through small holes. Make sure to seal cracks and crevices to eliminate potential entry points.
- Reduce Moisture: Bugs need moisture to survive so eliminate moisture build-up by fixing leaky pipes.
- Eliminate Food Sources: Keep your home clean and free of crumbs to limit food sources.
- Create a Protective Barrier: You can treat the exterior of your home with a spray like our Yard Bug Spray. It kills on contact and provides you with residual repellency that will deter pests from returning.
How to Get Rid of Fall Pests
If these pests have made their way inside, there are things you can do to remove them.
- Vacuum or Sweep: Some pests, like stink bugs, Asian lady beetles, and boxelder bugs, can be removed by sweeping or vacuuming. You’ll want to discard them outside, away from your home.
- Use Plant-Based Insecticide Sprays: Our Home Bug Spray will kill pests on contact. Its residual repellency will help to prevent other bugs from entering your home.
- Use Baits: Addressing the source of an infestation is important for pests like cockroaches. Using a bait, like our Roach Killer Gel Bait, can help. Cockroaches consume the bait and return to the colony. When these cockroaches die, others will consume them and the bait.
- Use Insecticide Dusts: Our plant-based Spider & Insect Dust can provide you with long-lasting protection from creepy crawlies. Dust can be applied in small cracks and crevices, along baseboards, behind furniture, and in other areas where pests have been seen.
Your fall season doesn’t have to be spent dealing with pests. Taking time to pest-proof your home can help keep these common fall bugs out of your house. If pests are giving you a fit, we have your back! Check out our Maggie’s Farm Simply Effective™ Pest Control products.