Stink Bugs, Fall Leaves, Pumpkins: Signs of Fall

Where do you usually spend most of your time during the spring or summer, indoors or outdoors? Most people spend the warmer weather outdoors. Which means that they want the outside of their homes looking there best. Whereas, during the fall and winter you want the inside of your home looking nice because you are usually indoors to keep warm. 

The weather is getting colder and the landscaping at your home is not as critical as in those other months. The tree branches are becoming bare and the bushes are dying off. However, if you do ignore the outside of your home then you could end up inviting a lot of different pests into your home who are also looking to stay warm for the winter. 

Fall Bugs & Pests

Just like seasons change, pests only come out for certain seasons. Overwintering pests will start looking for ways into your home to keep warm in the cooler temperatures. While “summer” pests, stay around until they can find a warmer place to go. 

Rodents

Most rodents will be looking for a dark place that is undeserved to hide out in for the winter. Some of these places include: walls, closets, pantries, attics, etc. are inviting. If you can see droppings or gnawing marks in any of these places these are signs of problems. Your #1 priority this fall should be making sure that your rodent control and exclusion are under control. Fall bugs aren’t the only pests looking for a warm place to live. 

Occasional Fall Bugs

• Stink Bugs – Stink bugs can mostly be found in the walls. Stink bugs will start making their way inside as we get farther into the fall season. They are wanting a nice cozy and warm place to live for the next 4-6 months. Once they get into your home it is impossible to get rid of every single one, so make sure to check for entering points on your home. 
• Lady Beetles (aka Ladybugs)
• Box Elders

Fall Maintenance Tips

The following are some quick and easy tips on how to make sure your landscaping is well maintained and pest-free for the fall and winter months that are ahead. 

Firewood

Some pests like to hide out in the woodpiles and the damp ground that is beneath the wood. Keep firewood stacked on an elevated surface and as far away from the home as possible.

Decorations

Everyone loves to decorate their homes for the fall season. From Halloween decorations to Thanksgiving decorations this is the time to get your home ready for the holidays. Unfortunately, some of the decorations that you put out could be attracting pests to your home and giving them access points to the inside of your home.  

Which Decorations Bring in the Pests?

While bringing out all of your decorations, it is best if you check them to make sure that there aren’t any pests that were already living on them or in their boxes. Take everything outside to dust off and make sure you aren’t bringing the pests inside your home. 

Decorations pests may be hiding out in include:

• Straw Piles 
• Firewood 
• Scarecrows
• Spider webs
• Pumpkins 
• Gourds

Enjoy your holidays pest free by trying to put the least amount of these decorations up in or at your home. Watch for signs of problems that could be in your home so that you can take the proper steps to get rid of them as quickly as possible.