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
Field Guide · Southeast
Three fall invaders that sneak indoors as temperatures drop
Asian lady beetles, stink bugs, and boxelder bugs look similar enough to cause confusion — and they all show up around the same time of year. Telling them apart helps you understand what you’re dealing with before they settle in for the season.
1Can bite
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
IDMottled grayish-brown shield shape with wings held flat against the body; distinct triangular plate on the back
WhereGaps around windows, door frames, and wall voids where they overwinter in clusters
NoteWhen disturbed, they release a pungent odor compared to herbs. Vacuuming is safer than crushing — crushing triggers the smell and can attract more.
2Can bite
Asian Lady Beetle
IDOrange to red with up to 20 black spots; look for the white M- or W-shaped marking behind the head to distinguish from native ladybugs
WhereLight-colored exterior walls in fall, then ceiling corners and window frames indoors
NoteThey can pinch when handled and leave behind a yellowish-orange fluid that stains surfaces. Large aggregations are common — treating entry points early cuts numbers significantly.
3Low concern
Boxelder Bug
IDBlackish-gray body with three bold red lines running along the thorax and wing edges; pointed at both ends
WhereSunny sides of buildings, boxelder and maple trees, leaf litter and debris piles near foundations
NoteThey do not bite or damage structures. Their main nuisance is sheer numbers indoors during fall migration. Removing nearby debris and seeding boxelder trees reduces harborage.
Waynes has protected Southeast families for 50 years as an EPA Pesticide Environmental Stewardship member. Every little thing matters. A LOT.
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.
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.
