Stink bugs are notorious pests that can be found invading homes across various regions. These insects are named for the unpleasant odour they emit when disturbed or crushed. Understanding the factors that attract stink bugs to your house is essential in preventing infestations and minimizing their presence. In this article, we will explore the reasons behind what attracts stink bugs in your house and discuss practical strategies for keeping them at bay.
What are Stink Bugs?
Stink bugs or Halyomorpha halys (the scientific name for this insect) are a brown marmorated stink bug which is mostly seen where there are crops or where there are house plants. Stink bugs are not harmful to humans, but are harmful to crops and plants on farms or in gardens and homes.
Stink bugs typically seek shelter indoors during fall as they prepare for winter. As temperatures drop, these pests search for warm places to hibernate. Consequently, homeowners may observe an influx of stink bugs in their houses during this period.
What attracts stink bugs in your house?
Stink bugs are primarily herbivorous and feed on a wide range of plants and crops. The following are just some reasons why they may find their way in to your home.
-If your home is near gardens, orchards, or agricultural fields, ripe fruits, vegetables, or flowering plants these may attract them. Stink bugs can detect these food sources from a considerable distance, leading them to venture into residential areas in search of sustenance.
-Like many other insects, stink bugs are attracted to light sources, especially at night. If you have bright outdoor lights or porch lights near your home, they may draw stink bugs toward your property. The bugs may accumulate around windows or doors, seeking a way to enter the house. Consider using less attractive or yellow-coloured outdoor lighting to minimize their attraction.
-Stink bugs are attracted to moist and warm environments. During cooler months like October to January, they seek out sheltered areas that provide stable temperatures and humidity. Your home’s heating system, sunlit areas, and damp basements can appeal to stink bugs. Ensuring proper insulated correctly can help prevent them.
How to prevent stink bugs from getting into your house?
To keep stink bugs from infesting your house, consider the following pest prevention measures:
-Seal entry points. Inspect your home for cracks, gaps, or openings that stink bugs could use to enter. Seal these entry points with caulk or weather stripping to prevent the access of stink bugs.
-Ensure that all windows, vents, and openings have properly fitted screens to keep stink bugs out while allowing ventilation.
-Removing attractants. Trim vegetation near your house, especially if you have a garden or fruit trees. Regularly clean up fallen fruit and dispose of them away from your home.
-Use yellow or less attractive outdoor lighting, or keep your porch lights off to prevent pest infestation in your house.
Conclusion
Understanding the factors of what attracts stink bugs in your house is crucial for effective prevention and control. By implementing the preventive measures mentioned above, you can minimize their attraction and reduce the likelihood of infestations.