It usually starts with one.
You notice a stink bug crawling across a window or sitting on the side of your house. Then another appears. A few days later, you’re finding them around the windows, doors, attic, or even inside your living space.
Fall is when this becomes a familiar problem for many New Jersey homeowners.
As temperatures begin to drop, stink bugs look for protected places where they can spend the winter. Houses provide exactly what they’re looking for — warm walls, attics, garages, and other sheltered areas can become attractive overwintering locations.
Homeowners in Sussex County, Morris County, Warren County, and surrounding communities may notice activity increase as September progresses and temperatures begin changing.
Why Do Stink Bugs Come Inside in the Fall?
The primary reason is simple: they’re looking for shelter from the coming cold weather.
The brown marmorated stink bug is particularly well known for entering structures in the fall. Rutgers notes that adults begin moving toward protected overwintering locations in early to mid-September and continue doing so until the first frost.
They aren’t necessarily coming inside because your house is dirty or because they’re looking for food — they’re looking for somewhere protected.
Sunny exterior walls can be especially attractive during the fall because they warm up during the day. Stink bugs may gather there before finding cracks, gaps, windows, vents, or other ways into the structure.
Where Do Stink Bugs Get Inside?
They don’t need a large opening. Common entry points include:
- Gaps around windows
- Door frames
- Cracks in siding
- Foundation cracks
- Attic vents
- Utility openings
- Damaged screens
- Gaps around exterior trim
- Window air-conditioning units
A house with numerous small gaps can give stink bugs plenty of opportunities to get inside.
Why Are There So Many Around My Windows?
Windows are one of the most common places homeowners notice stink bugs.
The insects are attracted to warmth and light. On sunny fall days, they may gather on exterior walls and windows before finding sheltered places to hide. Once they locate an opening, they can move into wall voids, attics, and other protected areas.
You may not see the majority of them until they begin moving around on warmer days.
Do Stink Bugs Damage Your Home?
The good news is that stink bugs generally aren’t structural pests. They don’t chew through wood like carpenter ants, and they don’t consume structural materials like termites.
Their biggest problem is that they can become a major nuisance. Large numbers can collect inside walls, around windows, and in attics, and they can release an unpleasant odor when crushed or disturbed.
That makes prevention much easier than dealing with hundreds of insects after they’ve already entered the house.
Should You Crush Stink Bugs?
It’s better not to.
That familiar odor is where stink bugs get their name — crushing them can release the defensive odor that makes an already unpleasant pest problem even more noticeable.
If you only have a few inside, carefully removing or vacuuming them can be an option. If you’re seeing them repeatedly or in large numbers, the better question is how they’re getting inside in the first place.
How Can You Keep Stink Bugs Outside?
Fall is a good time to inspect the exterior of your home. Check:
- Window screens
- Door sweeps
- Weatherstripping
- Foundation cracks
- Siding gaps
- Attic vents
- Utility penetrations
Sealing obvious openings can reduce opportunities for insects to enter. Exterior pest treatments may also be appropriate when a property has persistent seasonal activity.
When Should You Call Bustabug Pest Control?
If you’re finding the occasional stink bug, it may simply be part of fall in New Jersey. But repeated activity deserves attention.
Contact Bustabug Pest Control if you’re seeing stink bugs throughout the house, finding large numbers around windows, or dealing with the same problem every fall.
A professional can identify likely entry points and determine whether an exterior treatment or other pest-control measures make sense for your property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do stink bugs come inside in September? They begin looking for protected places to spend the winter as outdoor temperatures decline.
Will stink bugs damage my house? They generally don’t cause structural damage. Their primary problem indoors is nuisance activity.
Why are stink bugs attracted to my windows? Sunny windows and exterior walls provide warmth, making them attractive gathering locations.
How do I stop stink bugs from coming inside? Seal gaps around windows, doors, vents, siding, and utility openings. Professional exterior treatment may also help with recurring infestations.
Will stink bugs leave on their own? They may remain sheltered inside through the colder months and become active again during warm periods.
Can Bustabug Pest Control get rid of stink bugs? Bustabug Pest Control can inspect the property, identify potential entry points, and recommend an appropriate treatment and prevention strategy.
Keep Fall Pests Outside
If stink bugs are becoming a regular part of your fall routine, don’t wait until hundreds have found their way inside.
Contact Bustabug Pest Control to schedule an inspection and find out how to keep fall pests outside where they belong.