As the chill of fall weather gives warm temperatures the boot, insects go on the prowl in search of warm shelter and sources of food and water. This means that your home is a likely target to become a bug bed and breakfast.

To prevent the interior of your home from turning into an insect inn, be sure to seal any breaches or cracks around its exterior. Inside of your home it’s important that you remove potential sources of food for insects by not leaving food out, and keeping your counters and other surfaces clean. It’s also crucial that you eliminate sources of extra moisture that may be present in places like your basement, bathrooms, kitchen, and even inside of your attic.

This fall and winter season beware of these two critters that may try to get free room and board inside of your home.

 

Ladybugs

Who would mind a stray, harmless ladybug or two gracing a windowsill inside of their home? After all, ladybugs are supposed to be a sign of good luck, right? The thing is, in the fall and winter months many species of ladybug, such as the Asian lady beetle and the spotted lady beetle, may seek indoor shelter in large clusters that might give you the heebie-jeebies. They like to nest in high places, like in ceiling corners, window and door frames, inside of walls, attics, and beneath siding and shingles. To help ward off these pretty pests you can treat these surfaces using a liquid residual pesticide. Another option for the inside of your home is to set light traps, which use a light source to attract and trap the bugs. If you prefer a more natural option, consider using bay leaves and cloves, which work to repel ladybugs. You may opt to get rid of ladybugs inside of your space by simply sweeping them up and rehoming them back outdoors. You also have the option of vacuuming them up—just be sure not to crush them because they can give off a strong odor.

 

Western Conifer Seed Bugs

It would be easy to mistake a western conifer seed bug for a stink bug—both have a brownish color, a similar shape, and are close to one inch in length. Western conifer seed bugs feed off the sap of conifer trees and are mostly found in western states, but due to the effects of climate change they’ve been migrating toward eastern portions of the country. The insect is a resident of Michigan and has traveled as far as Maine. Western conifer seed bugs generate an unsettling buzzing sound when flying, though they don’t bite or sting. These insects can be very hard to exterminate from your home. To lessen the chances of an infestation you can spray your home’s exterior in early fall (September) using an insecticide that has a lasting residue. First, though, test the insecticide on a small portion of your home’s exterior to make sure it doesn’t cause damage. Be sure to wear protective goggles, a mask, and gloves.

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