With summer ending and cooler fall temperatures on the way, your home may become more
attractive to unwanted pests. September is a big month for pest prevention as many insects and
rodents begin to seek warmth, food and shelter before the temperature drops.
Fall pests like stink bugs, spiders, mice, ants, and overwintering insects can go from a small
problem to a bigger infestation quickly if they find an easy entry into your home.
At Queen B Pest Services we help homeowners identify common seasonal pest problems and
take preventative measures before pests move in for the colder months.
🍂 Why Do Pests Enter Your Home in the Fall?
As the weather gets cooler, pests will naturally seek out protected places where they can wait
out the upcoming winter. Your home provides all they need – warmth, shelter, moisture and
sometimes food.
Pests can gain entrance through surprisingly small openings around:
– Doors and windows
– Cracks in the foundation- Gaps in utility lines
– Ventilators and piping
– Screens damaged- Garage Door
– Soffits and rooflines
– Openings around siding
Once pests find a point of entry, they can hide in walls, attics, basements, crawl spaces and
other undisturbed areas.
🐞 Typical Fall Pests To Watch For
1. Stink Bugs.
Stink bugs are a very recognizable fall pest. As the weather gets colder they seek out warm
places to take shelter.
They may cluster on sunny exterior walls, on windows and doors before heading indoors.
Important tip: Don’t crush stink bugs. They are known for the foul smell they can give off when
crushed or disturbed.
The best approach is to seal off cracks, repair screens and other potential entry points to
prevent them from getting in the first place.
2. Mouse mice
Mice and rats looking for shelter can also bring in cooler weather.
Rodents can squeeze through surprisingly small openings and may set up housekeeping in
attics, garages, basements, crawl spaces and wall voids.
In addition to being a nuisance, rodents can contaminate areas, damage property and chew on
materials such as insulation and wiring.
Search for clues like:Droppings (animal feces)- Bite marks
– Sounds of scratching
-Nesting material
– Grease stains on the wall
– Smells weird
3. Web-builders
Insects become more active around homes during the fall, and spiders may follow their food
source.
You may see more webs around:
– Windows
– Overhangs
– Verandahs
– Garage
– Lights outside
– Barns
You can help make your home less attractive to spiders by reducing other insect activity around
your property.
4. The ants
Most ants are seen in spring and summer, but some species remain active through the fall.
Ants can find their way into homes looking for food and water. They’re attracted to crumbs,
sugary foods, pet food and moisture around plumbing.
5. Wasps and Other Stinging Insects
Wasp activity can still be quite high in late summer and early fall. Wasps may be more visible
around houses, patios, trash cans and food.
Be extra careful around nests that are near doors, windows, attics, eaves, or areas that your
family spends time in.
5 Tips to Get Your Home Ready for Fall Pests
1. Near Cracks and Gaps
Inspect the outside of your home and seal any gaps around windows, doors, foundations, pipes
and utility lines.
2. Repair the Screens
Check for holes or tears in window and door screens. Even tiny holes can provide an easy entry
for bugs.
3. Store food correctly
Keep food in sealed containers and clear away crumbs or spills immediately.
And don’t forget about pet food, which can bring unwanted visitors.
4. Minimize Moisture
Fix dripping faucets, pipes and outdoor spigots. Clear out the gutters and fix the places where
the water is always collecting.
5. Arrange Preventative Pest Control
Don’t wait for pests to get into your home. Preventive pest control can help you
combat pest activity before it gets to be a bigger problem.
🍁 Keep Pests Out This Fall
Fall is a beautiful time of year, but it can be the start of a busy season for household pests.
Stink bugs, rodents, spiders, ants and other pests want the same thing you do – a comfortable
place to spend the colder months.
The difference is you don’t want them to move into your house.
Getting out in front of the seasons can help you protect your home and give you peace of mind
during fall and winter.
Saw any pest signs? Don’t let the problem get worse.
📞 To discuss your pest-control needs, call Queen B Pest Services at 410-989-1919.
Fall Pests Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why Do Pests Come Inside In The Fall?
As outdoor temperatures begin to cool, many pests are seeking warmth, shelter, moisture and
food. A home provides a safe haven for pests to survive the cold weather.
2. What are the most frequent fall pests?
Some common fall pests include stink bugs, mice, rats, spiders, ants, and wasps. The pests you
encounter will vary depending on your property and the environment around it.
3. Why are there so many stink bugs in my house?
Before moving to protected areas to spend the cold months, stink bugs often aggregate on
warm, sunny exterior surfaces. They may cluster around windows, doors, siding and other parts
of your home’s exterior.
4. How do stink bugs get inside my house?
They can get in through cracks, gaps around windows and doors, damaged screens, vents,
openings in the roofline, and spaces around utility lines.
5. Is it OK to crush stink bugs?
It is better not to crush them. Stink bugs can emit a foul-smelling odor when crushed or
disturbed. Remove them in a careful way instead and seal potential entry points.
6. Can mice fit through small holes to get into my home?
Yes. Mice can fit through surprisingly small openings so an important part of rodent prevention is
an outside inspection and sealing potential entry points.
7. Why do I notice more spiders in the fall?
Spiders might be more visible as they get busy around homes and other places where they find
their food. Outdoor lighting, vegetation and insect activity can make spiders active around a
property.
8. How can I keep fall pests out of my house?
Seal cracks and gaps, repair screens, store food properly, reduce moisture, maintain your
home’s exterior and address pest activity early.
9. When should you schedule fall pest control?
Early fall is a good time to consider preventive pest control, especially if you have noticed more
pest activity or evidence of pests coming into your home.
10. What if I already have fall pests in my house?
Don’t leave it to chance. Identify how the pests are getting in and search for any signs of an
infestation. An inspection by a pest-control professional can identify the source of the activity, as
well as the proper treatment.
🍂 September To-Do List: Pest Prevention
Prior to the full swing of fall, spend a few minutes to:
☐ Check windows and screens
☐ Caulk gaps and cracks
☐ Check doors and garage doors
☐ Check the foundation ☐ Drain standing water
☐ Clean up food and outdoor debris
☐ Watch for signs of rodents
☐ Check for insect activity on the outside
☐ Safely deal with nests
☐ Call in professional pest control if necessary
Queen B Pest Services 📞 410-989-1919 Email office@queenbpest.com
🐝 Rats & Mice • Mosquitos • Ants • Bett Bugs • Arachnids (spiders) • Wasps & Other
Keep fall pests out, where they belong.