What Are These Bugs Trying to Get Into My Alabama Home This Fall?

Alabama in the Fall means cool morning temperatures, football games, fall foliage and an abundance of bugs around your home.

Whether it’s covering a bright sunny side of your home, around your windows, doors or maybe under your porch, you may start noticing these bugs appearing in areas of your home you didn’t know had a pest issue all summer long.

What bugs are these and why are they trying to get inside my home?

Many of these bugs are looking for overwintering sites in the fall. Alabama Cooperative Extension states that Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs, Kudzu Bugs, Multicolored Asian Lady Beetles, Boxelder Bugs and Asian Cockroaches are all pests that will invade homes during the fall.

There is one thing your home has to offer these pests: a safe place to hide.

Knowing what bugs are invading your home during the fall, why they are invading your home and how they are getting inside can prevent you from having a larger problem in your home later on.

When the weather starts to change outside many pests begin looking for a place to shelter from the cold weather.

Outdoors they can find this under tree bark, leaves, rocks, fallen limbs and many other areas. The outside of your home can mimic many of these areas as well.

If there is a small crack in your home it could be just what these bugs are looking for. There are many areas around your home that pests can use to gain entry into your home.

From siding to your roof line, foundation, windows and any other area that is susceptible to small openings can allow pests inside. According to Alabama Extension your home is prone to many pests year round including ants, roaches, fleas, flies, silverfish, spiders and ticks.

Just because they are trying to get into your home doesn’t mean they are after your kitchen.

As we previously mentioned many of these pests are looking for an overwintering site.

Wall voids, attics, garages, siding and other areas of your home can provide shelter from the cold.

If there is an opening that allows them to gain entry into these areas you may not even know they are in your home. Which is why preventing them from getting inside in the first place is important.

If you have noticed large amounts of bugs on one side of your home that may be a sign that these bugs are about to invade your home.

During the fall if these bugs are on a sunnier side of your home they will continue to look for cracks to get into your home.

According to Alabama Extension boxelder bugs will begin congregating on buildings and trees when the temperature begins to drop and it is sunny out. It’s best to keep an eye on the sunny sides of your home for any signs of insects during the fall.

There are many different bugs that can invade your home during the fall. Some bugs may even look alike to you and all you know is you have a lot of bugs on your siding.

Here are some bugs that may be invading your home this fall.

Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs are easy to identify by their shield shaped body. During the fall these stink bugs will look for sheltered areas to overwinter in. Your home can provide them with that.

Stink bugs may congregate on the outside of your home and begin invading your home. According to Alabama Extension these stink bugs can congregate on homes and other buildings in large numbers.

Once they are inside your home they are mostly considered a nuisance. The only downside to stink bugs is if you squish one they have an odor that can spread throughout your home.

So if you spot one inside your home try not to crush them on your walls or curtains.

Similar to stink bugs Kudzu bugs will also congregate around your home in the fall.

Kudzu bugs are commonly found around areas that have kudzu plants and soybeans. If your home is near any of these plants you may start seeing them on your home.

Alabama Extension says that these bugs can be found on homes and office buildings during the late summer until colder temperatures arrive. Just like stink bugs these bugs will release an odor when they are squished.

You can also leave stains if you squish these on your walls or carpet so it’s best to vacuum them up.

You may think these are ladybugs but they are actually Multicolored Asian Lady Beetles.

These bugs can vary in color and amount of dots they have. They are actually beneficial outside as they will eat other pests. But once they start congregating on your home to overwinter they can become a nuisance.

Alabama Extension states that these bugs are notorious for congregating on buildings. They can also release an odor and yellowish liquid when they are squished.

If you have noticed these bugs around your windows it may be a good idea to check the outside of your home for more.

Boxelder bugs are another bug that will invade your home during the fall. They are a black bug with red markings and will also congregate on buildings.

If you see these on a sunny side of your home it’s a good sign that they may try to invade your home. Like some of the other bugs mentioned they can also release an odor when squished.

Roaches can also be pests that will invade your home during the fall. According to Alabama Extension Asian Roaches can invade homes during the fall. These roaches are found outdoors in mulch, compost and other organic material.

Roaches can be dangerous to have in your home so if you have been seeing roaches indoors you should call a pest control company. There are many different types of roaches and not all of them will act the same indoors.

There are many different ways bugs can get into your home during the fall.

It may seem like your home is sealed off from all these pests but chances are you have many entry points that bugs can use.

One of the easiest ways bugs can get into your home is through your doors and windows. If your door sweeps or weather stripping is worn down bugs can easily make their way into your home.

Make sure to inspect all of your doors and windows to see if there are any openings.

If you can see light coming through your exterior doors there is probably room for bugs to get in.

Many utility lines can penetrate through your home and create small holes. Make sure to check all cable lines, electric and any other utility that comes into your home.

If there is an opening around these you should plug them with caulk.

Vents are also a good spot for bugs to invade your home. Make sure to inspect all of your vents and if needed add screens to them.

Your roof line is also a great spot for bugs to enter your home. Check around your attic vents and any other openings that may be above your home.

Another place to inspect is around your foundation. If there are any cracks or openings in your foundation pests can make their way into your crawl space and home.

During the fall take the time to walk around your home and inspect it for any signs of pests.

Many times you may not see any bugs inside your home and one day wake up to tons of bugs on your windows.

During the fall if bugs are already inside your home they will become more active on warmer days. These bugs may migrate to your windows or other lit areas of your home.

It’s important to prevent them from getting into your home in the first place.

While spraying may seem like the quick fix it may not be the best solution to these fall invaders. Alabama Extension recommends excluding these pests from your home. If you do find them inside your home it is best to vacuum them up.

The main concern is to prevent more bugs from entering your home. If you have noticed many bugs outside your home you should begin sealing off entry points.

As mentioned earlier some of these bugs can smell when they are squished. If you do find them inside your home it’s best to vacuum them up. Then inspect that area of your home for entry points.

Preventing these bugs from getting into your home should start on the outside of your home. Once bugs are inside your walls it can be harder to treat them.

By sealing off entry points on your home you can reduce the chance of these bugs getting inside.

There are many areas around your home that can cause small openings for bugs to get inside. Inspect your home for cracks around:

• Windows: Check frames and edges for openings.
• Doors: Inspect exterior door frames and thresholds.
• Garage Door: Check seals and gaps around the door.
• Utility Lines: Inspect where utilities enter the home.
• Plumbing: Look for gaps around pipes.
• Cables: Check cable entry points.
• Dryer Vent: Inspect around the vent opening.
• Foundation: Look for cracks or small gaps.
• Siding: Check joints and damaged areas.
• Roof Line: Inspect areas where pests may gain entry.
• Crawl Space Vents: Check screens and openings.
• Attic Vents: Inspect for damaged screens or gaps.
• Chimney: Look for openings that may allow pests inside.

Any of these areas can cause bugs to invade your home.

Make sure your window screens and door screens are in good condition. If you have any holes in your screens it’s a good idea to replace them.

Weather stripping is also a good idea to inspect. Make sure there are no gaps under your doors and if there is consider installing door sweeps.

These can also help prevent other fall pests from getting into your home.

Keeping your bushes trimmed and removing any extra leaves can help prevent pests from congregating around your home.

Try to keep your mulch and pine straw from being too thick around your foundation. Remove any debris that you don’t need around the perimeter of your home.

Alabama Extension also suggests trimming shrubbery and removing any pest conducive conditions around your foundation.

If you have firewood on your property try to keep it away from your home. Inspect your firewood before bringing it into your home as well.

Having firewood stacked against your siding, garage or any other area can attract pests.

If you have any areas of your home that have excess moisture it can attract many household pests. Fix any plumbing issues that may be causing leaks. Clean your gutters and make sure your drains are clear.

By doing this you can reduce the chance of many pests invading your home.

Many of these fall invaders are not going to harm your home. But they can be a nuisance and there are many things to consider.

They can smell when squished, leave stains on your walls and carpet. They can also congregate around your windows and lights. There can be dead bugs in areas you don’t know about and may lead to other pests getting into your home.

If you have other pests invading your home during the fall you should call a pest control company.

There are many different pests that can invade your home in the month of October. So knowing what you have is important.

If you are seeing small amounts of bugs on your windows you may be able to handle it yourself. But if you have noticed large amounts of bugs on your home or are unable to identify the bugs you should call a pest control company.

If you have seen any of the following you should consider calling a pest control company:

• Large Amounts: Large amounts of bugs are gathering on your home.
• Repeated Activity: Bugs keep appearing in the same area of your home.
• Unknown Pests: You cannot identify what bugs you have.
• Indoor Roaches: You have seen roaches inside your home.
• Hidden Areas: Bugs are invading your attic, crawl space or wall voids.
• Multiple Pests: You have multiple types of bugs invading your home.
• DIY Is Not Working: You have tried DIY methods and they are not working.
• Entry Points: You have noticed entry points that may need a pest control company.

Calling a pest control company can help you identify what bugs are invading your home. They can also help you figure out how they are getting in and what may be attracting them to your home.

Now that you know what to look for here is a list to help you bug-proof your home this fall.

• Cracks: Fill in cracks around windows and doors.
• Weather Stripping: Replace any worn weather stripping.
• Screens: Replace any torn screens.
• Door Sweeps: Install or replace door sweeps.
• Utility Lines: Inspect utility lines that penetrate through your home.
• Vents: Screen vents or other openings on the exterior of your home.
• Foundation: Look for cracks in your foundation.
• Leaves and Debris: Clean leaves and debris around your home.
• Vegetation: Trim shrubbery and trees that are close to your home.
• Firewood: Keep firewood away from your home.
• Gutters: Clean your gutters and make sure your home is draining properly.
• Leaks: Fix plumbing issues or leaks inside your home.
• Garbage: Keep your garbage cans sealed tight.
• Garage Clutter: Reduce clutter around your garage.
• Sunny Walls: Watch for bugs congregating on the sunny side of your home.
• Indoor Bugs: Vacuum bugs that invade your home instead of squishing them.
• Professional Help: If you continue to see large amounts of bugs getting into your home call Steel City Pest.

Bugs that are invading your home in Alabama this October are not there because your home is dirty or something you did wrong.

They are simply looking for an area to overwinter in and your home may have that. By taking these steps you can help prevent these bugs from getting into your home.

If you have noticed any of these bugs getting into your home call Steel City Pest.

Steel City Pest can help you prevent these bugs from invading your home this fall. Contact us today to learn more about our residential pest control services.