Tips to Survive the 2013 Stink Bug Invasion

Experts are predicting a record-breaking stink bug season. If stink bugs have been a nuisance for you in previous years then brace yourself, this season could be even worse.  Stink bugs have plagued Southern New Jersey farmers and, in fact, crops across the country so much so that the USDA started an organized count to track the spread of this invasive pest. Unfortunately, due to the government shutdown, that count has been on hold.  Our feeling here at Cowleys is that the experts are spot on and the Jersey Shore towns will feel those same effects and see more stink bugs indoors than in years past. 

Stink bugs enter your home during the fall as the weather turns colder simply to hibernate in the warmth and comfort of your home.  Even though stink bugs do no major damage, having stink bugs around your home, especially in large numbers, is quite a nuisance.  We compiled this list of ways to survive The Great Stink Bug Invasion of 2013. If homeowners follow these tips, the predicted stink bug invasion shouldn’t be as terrible as expected:

1. Exclude them!  As we mentioned, fall is the time of year that stink bugs move inside.  If you haven’t done so already start your exclusion work around your home which includes sealing up cracks and crevices near windows, doors, and other entry points around the home.  Installing screen-over vents around the home should be included in your efforts. 
2. Reduce moisture.   Dehumidifiers have a long list of benefits to a home and pest control is one of them.  Also, look for leaks around the home and have them fixed promptly.  All insects need food shelter and moisture to survive so removing one of these life staples can reduce your risk of an infestation. 
3. Reduce light.  Stink bugs are attracted to light so consider re-evaluating your outdoor lighting or installing special lights that don’t attract pests. 
4. Clean your home’s perimeter this fall.  Vegetation build-up, overgrown landscaping, and fallen leaves around the outside of your home makes for a perfect nesting place for pests.  Pests that are nesting just outside your home will look to move indoors as the weather turns colder. 
5. Remember don’t crush them!  A vacuum cleaner may be your best bet once they are inside.  Another option is to pick them up with a tissue, grab them lightly, and toss them into the toilet to flush them away. 
6. Hire a professional.  An effective stink bug program consists of well-timed pesticide applications to the perimeter of your home that knockdown pest populations after pests leave your home and again in the fall before they re-enter.  It is a very effective way to reduce stink bug populations around your home and offer some relief. 

Learn more about Cowley’s stink bug program. Ask about how you can save on your first stink bug treatment when you contact us!