Dealing with Stink Bug Infestations

Stink bugs are a common pest in Oklahoma and seeing them during the winter indoors isn’t an uncommon occurrence. If this pest has overwintered in a warm place in your home, they will be active no matter what the temperature is outside. Follow these simple steps to avoid stink bug infestations during the winter.

Prevention

As with any other pest, prevention is always the best possible way to stop stink bug infestation. If stink bugs make it into wall voids, the odds of a homeowner controlling populations becomes much less likely. To make matters worse, homes that have stink bug infestations are likely to see them return the next fall.

Prevention begins by detecting any potential entry points your home may have for these pests. Before cold weather sets in they can often be found on a sunny side of the house gathering warmth. Screen windows and doors should be fixed if ripped or damaged. As with other pests, weatherstripping can help make sure cold air and unwelcome guests don’t find their way in.

Remove Food Sources

Stink bugs can typically be found feeding on fruit that is left out on a table or countertop while others feed on ornamental plants. Detection of a starved stink bug is fairly easy as they will remain stationary or travel very slowly. If the pests are very active and flying around the home, food sources likely need to be contained.

To remedy this problem, fruits should be stored in a protective bag to deter access. If this approach doesn’t work, homeowners are encouraged to keep fruits in the refrigerator. Stink bugs are capable of living without food for as long as eight months, so although this may slow them down, removing them whenever seen is the best approach a homeowner can take.

At Emtec Pest Control, we are committed to safe and responsible pest control. We understand that your family’s safety is your number one priority, so we make it our priority, too. If you have any other questions about any of these pests or pest control for your home or business, contact your Oklahoma pest control experts at Emtec Pest Control by calling us or by filling out our online contact form. You can also connect with us on social media for more helpful pest control tips and information. We are on Facebook and Google+.