Fall is such a beautiful time of year. The weather is perfect, the autumn leaves are changing, and the colors are bright. But just like any other season, it has its downFALLs, including unusual Fall invaders. They are hard to deal with because they are persistent and intrusive.
We want to help you identify a few of these Fall invaders and share some tips to keep your home invader free.
Asian Lady Beetles
Identifying Asian Lady Beetles
Asian lady beetles are notorious for invading buildings in large numbers. Their colors range from orange to red, and they have approximately 20 black spots. They are frequently misidentified as ladybugs, but they are a little larger at about ⅓ of an inch long. Asian lady beetles are an outside pest that migrates indoors at a certain point in their lifecycle. They don’t damage structures or harm people, but they can leave behind orange slime and pinch when handled.
Managing Asian Lady Beetles
Here are several things you can do to manage Asian lady beetles:
- Seal cracks and holes
- Use insecticides
- Set light traps
- Use the Vacuum to catch any that make it inside.
Do you have Asian lady beetles? This blog post shows how you can use pantyhose and a vacuum cleaner with an extension to solve the problem.
Stink Bugs
Identifying Stink Bugs
Stink bugs have a triangular shape and a unique look. They are a mottled grayish-brown color and measure ⅓ of an inch in length. You may not immediately notice their wings because they keep them close to their bodies when they aren’t flying. And not surprisingly, they stink. When threatened, stink bugs release an unpleasant odor to protect themselves from predators. The smell is often compared to pungent herbs.
Managing Stink Bugs
If you have a stink bug infestation in your home or commercial space, here are some tips to help manage the problem.
- Seal cracks and holes
- Keep windows and doors closed
- Repair damaged screens and doors
- Change outdoor lighting to yellow bulbs
- Use a vacuum cleaner to remove bugs
Boxelder Bugs
Identifying Boxelder Bugs
Boxelder bugs are another unusual Fall invader that ends up indoors in the Fall. They are blackish-gray with prominent red markings on its back. They are about ½ an inch long, and their bodies are pointed on each end. They like to consume liquid food like sap from trees. Boxelder bugs don’t bite, but they can be a nuisance.
Managing Boxelder Bugs
When trying to get rid of boxelder bugs around your home or commercial space, we recommend the following:al
- Get rid of debris that’s close to your home. They use this as a hiding place.
- Keep your lawn weed-free and routinely rake leaves.
- Sweep up boxelder tree seeds.
- Outdoors, they can be easily washed away with water
- Vacuum them up.
Call Waynes!
Do you need help with Fall invaders? Give Waynes a call! Our service professionals are very experienced in managing Fall pests like those mentioned above. And we won’t stop until they’re gone. You can count on us to get the job done. Just contact us here or call us at 866.WAYNES.1.
