Stink bugs, lady bugs, boxelder beetles, and cluster flies, oh my!

How Do I Prevent These ‘Occasional Invader’ Pests From Entering My House?

What Are Occasional Invaders?

When many people think of pest infestations they usually think of ants, bed bugs, termites or cockroaches. However, there is another group of pests that can invade homes or buildings from time to time. Known as occasional invaders, these pests often find their way inside homes when weather conditions become hostile to their survival.

What Kinds of Pests are Occasional Invaders?

Occasional invaders can include boxelder bugs, centipedes, crickets, earwigs, ladybugs, millipedes, pillbugs, silverfish, slugs, springtails and stink bugs, to name a few.

When are Occasional Invaders Most Active?

Occasional invaders spend the majority of their time outdoors and can be active throughout the year. However, many will search for a place to overwinter during the fall season when the temperature starts to drop, so homeowners tend to notice them more frequently.

What Can a Homeowner Do to Prevent Occasional Invaders?

While the majority of these pests do not pose any serious health risks, they can be a real nuisance! Here’s some tips for homeowners to to help prevent them from coming inside:

• Start by eliminating moist harborage sites around the perimeter of the home, such as leaf piles, mulch and overgrown vegetation.
• Homeowners should seal possible points of entry into the home with a good quality silicone caulk, paying special attention to cracks in the foundation, utility pipes and wood fascia. Note that these pests will congregate mostly on the sunny side of your home so pay particular attention there.
• Damaged screens on doors and windows should be repaired.
• Some of these pests are attracted to certain lighting. Consider changing outdoor lighting to yellow bulbs or sodium vapor lamps, both of which are less attractive to pests. Inside, windows should be shaded with blinds and curtains so significant light is not visible from the outside during evening hours.

If Occasional Invaders do manage to enter your home, a shop-vac or other vacuum can aid in their removal. If you use a vacuum to remove stink bugs, make sure you toss the vacuum bag or empty it into the trash outdoors! Usually, one or two of these pests aren’t cause for concern, but it can become a problem for homeowners if an infestation develops. The team at Graduate Pest Solutions is ready to answer all your questions about Occasional Invaders and help you with all your pest concerns.  Call us at 413-566-8222 or contact us online!