stink bug

How good is your nose? Does it catch scents from blocks away? Are two squirts of perfume unbearable? As a kid, could you smell cookies in the oven from three floors above? Maybe your sense of smell isn’t incredible, but you can still tell if something is burning in the oven or if a skunk has settled under your porch. If you have a sense of smell at all and hate bugs flying around your home, you probably hate stink bugs. If you have never heard of these pests, or have dealt with them before and are looking for a way to keep them out of your Virginia home this fall, here are a few things you should know.

What are stinkbugs?

Stink bugs are primarily agricultural pests that feed on and damage crops. However, as temperatures drop in late summer and fall, stink bugs become trouble around homes. The reason for this is warmth. Stink bugs hate the cold and will do anything to keep themselves warm. Most often, this involves soaking up sunlight on the exterior of your home or invading to enjoy your home’s temperature-controlled interior.

The best way to identify stink bugs is by their ¾” long, shield-shaped, mottled grayish-brown bodies. Each stink bug has a pair of straight antennae, six legs, and two wings. When a stink bug flies, their wings make a low buzzing sound that may be audible from across a room.

As their name suggests, stink bugs are smelly pests. When squished or threatened, stink bugs will release a chemical that some describe as smelling like cilantro. If stink bugs get inside your home, do your best not to interact with them with your hands, but instead vacuum them up and release them outdoors.

Are stink bugs dangerous?

Stink bugs are not capable of spreading dangerous diseases, nor do they have the ability to bite or sting. They pose no serious threat to pets or household belongings. The biggest problem these smelly pests cause around homes is with their smell and the annoyance they bring. It is not uncommon for stink bugs to invade homes in large numbers. Trust us when we tell you 20 stink bugs make a bigger stink than just a couple.

How To Prevent Stink Bugs

Stink bugs enter homes in several different ways. Knowing where stink bugs come into households and how to seal off these areas properly will go a long way with keeping these smelly pests out of your home this fall. Here are some great prevention tips for you to use around your Virginia Beach home and property.

Inspect the exterior of your home for holes, gaps, and cracks. Fill in these potential entry points using a caulking gun or some liquid cement.
Repair torn or damaged window and door screens around your home.
Make sure all of your home’s door sweeps are in good condition.
Replace weather-stripping around your home that is damaged or worn by the weather.
Keep doors and windows closed as much as possible.
Turn off exterior lights at night or invest in insect-resistant, yellow bulbs.

A Better Way To Keep Stink Bugs Out Of Your Home This Fall

For more help dealing with bed bugs, trust the professionals here at Pestmaster® Services. We have detailed pest control plans designed to keep stink bugs and a plethora of other common invading pests from getting into your home.

Don’t wait to get your home protected against stink bugs. Give our team a call today to find a pest plan that best fits your needs.