How to Prevent the Bugs on the Side of Your Home

Stink bugs are a common fall invader to Sevierville TN homes in the fall - Johnson Pest ControlDo you notice the same bugs congregating on the side of your Sevierville area home every fall season? You may have a boxelder bug or stink bug problem! Both of these insects are known for a couple of things. One, the foul odor they release when crushed or threatened. And two, their odd behavior of aggregating on the sides of buildings and structures in the fall months. Their populations can grow to large numbers, making the very sight of them worrisome. However, the real trouble is when boxelder bugs or stink bugs crawl their way into your home. While not particularly dangerous, they are a downright nuisance and difficult to get rid of.

Boxelder Bugs vs. Stink Bugs

Both these insects will crawl their way through any crack and crevice in your home’s exterior to gain access to the warmth of your home before the winter months. Even worse, they reproduce at a rapid rate. Here’s how to identify the bugs on the side of your home:

    1. Boxelder bug
      • These insects have dark brown bodies with unique red markings.
      • They emerge out of hibernation in the springtime.
      • True to their name, they live in boxelder trees as well as maple, ash, and fruit trees.
      • Their feces can leave a stain.
    2. Stink bug
      • Their backs look like shields, and they can blend easily within foliage.
      • If threatened, these bugs release an odor.
      • There are two main types we see in the states: the brown marmorated stink bug and the green stink bug.
      • They do not bite or spread disease.

Fall pest prevention in Eastern Tennessee - Johnson Pest Control

Need Help Keeping Fall Pests Out?

How to Prevent Fall Invaders

As you would with any pest, it’s important to learn how to keep boxelder bugs and stink bugs out of your property in the first place. Here are our top tips to make your property less conducive to an infestation:

  1. Check the caulk around the molding of the windows and vents.
  2. Seal up cracks around roof soffits, windows, siding, and foundation.
  3. Clean out any debris around the foundation of the house.
  4. Trim back trees and bushes to keep all vegetation away from the perimeter of the home.
  5. Clean and repair the corners of fences, decorative rocks, old piles of wood, and patio furniture.
  6. Replace torn screens on windows and doors or install brand-new ones.
  7. Consider using low-pressure sodium exterior lighting, as UV rays attract these bugs.

Need Boxelder Bug or Stink Bug Control?

If these insects make their way inside your home before you have a chance to prevent them, it’s important to get help from a professional. The residential exterminators at Johnson Pest Control can help get these bugs out as well as keep them from ever getting indoors again. Contact us today to learn more!

Stink Bug Control

Stink bug crawling on a blade of grass - keep pests away from your home with Johnson Pest Control in TN

As the summer heat fades, the second part of stink bug season comes around. Although harmless to humans, these nasty critters find themselves all around our walls, attics, and just about everywhere else too. Johnson Pest Control has been around long enough to know how to handle these smelly invaders. Keep your home protected from these pests with a few simple tips and tricks.

About the Stink Bug

The brown marmorated stink bug is actually not native to the Americas, but rather Asian countries like Korea, Taiwan, and Japan. They were first sighted in the United Stated around the mid 1990’s. Since the first sighting, they have made their way to over 30 different states.

They eat nearly everything they can get their mouths on, making them serious pests. Fruits, vegetables, weeds, tree leaves and more all find a place in their diet. March, April and September are the months where they are most a problem, as it is when they emerge from their winter sleep, and once again begin preparing for it.

Once they have established themselves in your home, they are very difficult to deal with. They are resistant to nearly all insecticides. The best way to keep your home safe is by prevention, which is why September is critical. By protecting your home as they try to find a warm home for the winter, you can keep your house free from them for months to come.

How to Keep Them at Bay

To best rid this pest, you must think like a bug. Seal all cracks around windows, doors, siding, utility pipes, behind chimneys and underneath the wood fascia and other openings with high-quality silicone or silicone-latex caulk. Remove wall and window air conditioners; installing weather stripping around doors and windows may help. Repair broken screens and windows to keep the seal on your house tight.

Examine your house for any small areas or any openings to the outside. They are tenacious, but with a sharp eye, your house can be successfully protected.

Getting Rid of Them

Stink bugs are unfortunately, pretty resilient. A mixture of water and soap (about 2%) can off these bugs. The best way to remove them is by trap and kill stations. Stink bugs will walk straight into pheromone lures, making them effective ways to remove them in masse.

Knoxville, TN, is home to plenty of these putrid pests, but Johnson Pest Control is on the job. By following these tips, you can keep your house stink bug-free this fall, which will help bring a stink bug-free spring next year. If these critters get to be too much, give us a call. Our experts can help you clear your house, barn or garage of any stink bug infestations.