Control of brown marmorated stink bugs and multicolored Asian lady beetles that move indoors to overwinter, with entry points sealed.
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Brown marmorated stink bugs and multicolored Asian lady beetles look for winter shelter in homes from late September into October. The brown marmorated stink bug is confirmed in 80 of North Carolina's 100 counties, and it releases an odour when crushed. Sealing entry points before the cold is the most effective step. Charlotte Pest Control connects Mecklenburg County homeowners with a local technician.
Every autumn, insects that spent the summer outdoors look for a sheltered place to pass the winter. The brown marmorated stink bug and the multicolored Asian lady beetle are the two fall invaders most often found in North Carolina homes. They gather on sunny south and west walls in the afternoon and slip through small gaps into attics, wall voids and window frames.
The timing is predictable. Adults enter homes from late September into October, and the insects can appear in large numbers on a single wall or window. The brown marmorated stink bug is confirmed in 80 of the state's 100 counties, so a Charlotte home is well within its range. The insects are not dangerous to people, but they are a nuisance and they release an odour when crushed.
This page explains how to tell the two invaders apart, where they enter, what a technician checks before the cold weeks and why crushing them is a poor plan. (855) 974-4733 is the way to ask for a visit before the autumn arrival.
Do not crush stink bugs or lady beetles, and do not apply an aerosol near an open flame or a heater. Wash hands after handling them, and keep pets from eating insects that have been treated. Do not use a product on a sunny wall during a hot afternoon without advice. Call (855) 974-4733 to book a visit before the autumn arrival.
The technician looks at the sunny walls, window frames, soffit vents, utility penetrations and gaps around doors. The entry points are marked so the owner can see where the insects are most likely to come in.
Attic spaces and the voids behind siding are checked for insects already overwintering. Those in the attic are removed, and the gaps that let them in are noted for sealing.
Gaps are sealed with the right material for the place, such as caulk around frames and mesh over vents. Sealing is the most effective step because it stops the insects arriving in the first place.
A perimeter treatment can be used around the foundation and the walls where insects gather. It is applied to suit the surface and the setting, and the household is told when it is safe to return to the treated areas.
Insects inside the home are gathered with a vacuum or a jar and taken outside, rather than crushed. The technician shows the method and explains how to empty the vacuum.
They are not dangerous to people in the ordinary course of a home, but they are a serious nuisance because large numbers can gather in one room. They release a strong odour when crushed. Their presence is a reason to seal the house rather than a sign of harm to the structure.
The brown marmorated stink bug feeds on plants outdoors in the warm months, and it enters homes as adults looking for shelter for the winter. It does not breed indoors, so the problem is the arrival rather than a growing population.
Crushing a stink bug releases a strong odour that can linger in a room. The better method is to gather the insects into a jar or a vacuum and take them outside.
Stink bugs and lady beetles can settle on curtains, bedding and furniture. A room that is not used through the winter can gather many insects, so it is worth checking before the cold weeks.
Fall invaders enter through small gaps in the building envelope, such as around window frames, soffit vents, gaps where pipes and wires enter, and under loose trim or shutters. Walls that get the afternoon sun attract them first. Sealing those gaps before October is the most effective step.
Window frames and door thresholds are common entry points. A gap that looks too small for an insect can be enough, and the technician checks every frame and sill on the sunny side of the house.
The attic and the soffit are the usual route for lady beetles and stink bugs. Vents covered with a fine mesh keep the insects out while still allowing air to move.
Utility penetrations, such as cable lines and gas pipes, are often left with an open gap. Sealing them with the right material closes the route without blocking the utility.
Crushing a stink bug releases an odour that can stay in the room, and crushed lady beetles can stain surfaces. Crushing also does not stop the next insect coming through the same gap. Removing the insects and sealing the gap is the better plan.
Lady beetles can release a yellow fluid when handled and crushed, which can stain fabric and walls. Gathering them gently avoids that and keeps the room clean.
A single crushed insect does not stop the rest of the group. The entry point is what needs attention, and the technician notes it for sealing.
Keep a jar or a vacuum ready in the autumn. Gathering insects as they appear, and taking them outside, is a simple habit that keeps the numbers down until the gaps are sealed.
Sealing gaps around windows, doors, vents and utility lines is the longest-lasting step. It reduces the number of insects that enter the house each autumn, and it costs the owner time and materials rather than a repeated product.
A treatment on the sunny walls and the foundation stops insects settling on the outside of the house. It is used with sealing, not in place of it.
Insects that have already entered are vacuumed or collected and taken outside. The method avoids the odour that crushing releases and keeps the insects out of the air.
Sunny brick and siding walls in Charlotte give fall invaders a warm surface to gather on in the afternoon, and that is where they are first seen. Many homes in the outer towns have wide south-facing walls, large soffits and attic vents, which give insects plenty of entry points.
The season is short and sharp. Insects arrive over a few weeks in the autumn, so the sealing and the check need to be done before the first cold snap. The local guide on stink bugs and fall invaders explains the calendar in more detail.
Call any hour and explain what is going on. You get a clear price before any work starts.
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NC State Extension says brown marmorated stink bugs are confirmed in 80 of North Carolina's 100 counties.
Adults enter homes from late September into October as they look for winter shelter. Sealing entry points before that period is the most effective step.
Multicolored Asian lady beetles can bite when handled, and they can leave a yellow stain. Gathering them gently with a jar or a vacuum avoids both problems.
Sealing reduces the insects that enter, and it is the most effective step available. Some may still find a small gap, so the technician checks the seals and the vents after the first season.
Yes. Vacuum them up and empty the vacuum outside or seal the bag. Crushing them inside releases an odour, so the vacuum is usually the better choice.