Cooler weather usually means a reprieve in bug sightings… that’s what we’ve always known to be true, anyway. Despite popular belief, stink bugs are at their most populous during fall, and they’ve been caught invading homes across Kentucky. Here’s everything you need to know:
Fall is slowly beginning to sneak its way in, but that doesn’t change how oppressively hot summer was.
Flickr/luann_snawder_photography For this reason, many insect populations - including brown marmorated stink bugs - are rapidly increasing.
Stink bugs usually congregate on the south and west sides of homes.
Wikimedia Commons/Hectonichus Fortunately, the pests do not feed on the structure but simply inhabit it instead.
Humans aren’t targets either, but can exhibit allergic reactions.
Flickr/hippie Some people, particularly those with asthma, have a sensitivity to the musky secretions emitted by the insects.
Farmers are the hardest hit by stink bug invasions.
Flickr/tigertom Fruits and vegetables make up most of their diet, so crop shortages are not uncommon.
To protect yourself from a potential infestation, start bug-proofing your home now.
Flickr/katzrule Seal up any cracks with caulk, check window screenings, and make sure there are no gaps underneath doors.
Spraying outdoors is also essential to prevent stink bugs from gathering around your house.
Flickr/mcbeth Hire a professional or simply mix together dish soap and water for a cheap, easy DIY solution.
Stink bug season only lasts about a month, but other critters will start showing up in their place.
Wikimedia Commons/spacebirdy Box elder bugs and the Asian lady beetle, commonly known as the ladybug, usually come out of the woodwork around November.
Have you ever experienced a stink bug invasion? If so, what precautions did you take to ensure it never happens again? Let us know all about your process.
Flickr/luann_snawder_photography
For this reason, many insect populations - including brown marmorated stink bugs - are rapidly increasing.
Wikimedia Commons/Hectonichus
Fortunately, the pests do not feed on the structure but simply inhabit it instead.
Flickr/hippie
Some people, particularly those with asthma, have a sensitivity to the musky secretions emitted by the insects.
Flickr/tigertom
Fruits and vegetables make up most of their diet, so crop shortages are not uncommon.
Flickr/katzrule
Seal up any cracks with caulk, check window screenings, and make sure there are no gaps underneath doors.
Flickr/mcbeth
Hire a professional or simply mix together dish soap and water for a cheap, easy DIY solution.
Wikimedia Commons/spacebirdy
Box elder bugs and the Asian lady beetle, commonly known as the ladybug, usually come out of the woodwork around November.
For more creepy crawlers, check out our previous article: These 10 Bugs Found In Kentucky Will Send Shivers Down Your Spine.
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