With fall nearly upon us, it’s hard not to think about the leaves changing color and the imminent cooler weather. While the cooler weather might be more comfortable for us humans, it’s the opposite for many insects.
Knowing what insects are common in the fall and which ones might be trying to get into your house is the first step to preventing them from doing so. Many insects aren’t dangerous to humans, but they are undoubtedly a source of irritation.
Here are some fall bugs to know about.
Spiders
While spiders are a crucial part of the ecosystem (they eat many different types of bugs), that’s of little consolation if you find them in or around your house. Unlike most bugs, spiders aren’t more prominent in the fall because they’re trying to get out of the cold; rather, their mating season is in autumn, and male spiders are trying to find female spiders to mate with.
Stink bugs
You’ll know it’s a stink bug by its trademark shield-shaped back. It’s also a very loud flier, so you’ll likely hear it if it’s zooming around your home. The stink bug got its name from the foul-smelling chemical it emits when it feels threatened. The reason they’re moving around more in the fall is because they’re leaving their nests and trying to find a warmer spot to stay for the cold winter months.
Ladybugs
You’ve probably seen ladybugs and their distinctive red shells with black spots before. And while one or two ladybugs might not seem like a problem, there are usually more where that came from. Ladybugs often move in large groups, especially during the fall, as they try to get inside before the weather becomes frigid. While they can bite humans, the bite isn’t dangerous, though it could sting a little. Use a vacuum to get rid of these pests, as smashing them can leave stains and/or bad smells in their wake.
Boxelder bugs
These bugs are long, black and canoe-shaped with red accents on their backs. Like stink bugs, they can give off a malodorous smell when they’re agitated. They normally live in trees and stay there during the warm spring and summer months, but when the leaves begin to drop off the trees, boxelder bugs attempt to make their way to heated quarters so that they can survive the winter. They don’t bite or carry disease, but they can travel in immense numbers, which can become an annoyance.
Western conifer seed bugs
This bug is almost an inch long and brown in color. It feeds on the sap of coniferous trees and makes a vociferous buzzing sound when it flies, which is multiplied and made worse when there are a group of them. They used to only be found in the American West (hence the name), but their range has expanded as far east as Nova Scotia, Canada. These bugs won’t sting or bite people, but they can be a nuisance, and they hamper tree growth when they feed.
Call about fall insect extermination today
Now that you know what insects are common in the fall and which might try to invade your space, you’ll be able to better defend your home. In addition to ridding you of these fall bugs, we at Excellence Pest Control can help with any other pest problems as well. So give our experts a call so that you and your family can enjoy the leaves turning colors this fall without having to worry about bothersome bugs.