As the warmth of this summer drifts into the past and the cool and crisp autumn winds bring changes, you'll probably be seeing a lot more activity of the many-legged kind inside and around your home.
Several arthropods (and even some mammals) may try to use your home as an escape from the pending winter. While many insects and arthropods die off in the fall, others overwinter to start new populations in the spring. Lucky for you, control is natural, cost effective and can ultimately save you from the sight of various creatures!
Brown marmorated stink bugs are coming out in full force -- I've seen several on my window screens. These guys aren't dangerous at all, but they can become quite a nuisance inside your home. They look like other stink bugs; they have long legs and antennae and also the common shield-like body shape. As their name suggests, they're also brown. They'll come inside and congregate in your home -- sometimes in large numbers.
Paper wasp queens may also start making the move inside. Some of these girls choose to overwinter together inside a home. Like many other social wasps, queens and fertile females overwinter while the rest of the colony dies off. Paper wasps aren't very aggressive, but seeing a couple in your home can make you feel uneasy.
Spiders are also coming in in some instances. If you have outdoor spiders inside, they probably came in in late summer -- mating season. The ones I've seen that aren't year-long guests still are males -- recognizable by their large pedipalps in the front.
Mice and rats may also start seeking shelter indoors. These guys can breed all the time it seems like, and a winter haven of warmth and a seemingly never-ending food source will be ideal for them to play house in.
So what can you do to prevent these critters from getting inside? The answer is easy, but may take a little bit of time. You need to exclude them.
Insects will start coming in through any hole they can fit (which doesn't have to be very large). Examine your home for cracks and holes. Common places include window sills, around door frames, gable vents, under fascia and siding, and access holes for pipes and cables. Seal these with caulk, expanding foam, insect screen or a tightly woven wire mesh. Install door sweeps under all exterior doors that create a tight seal. Stay away from the poisons of insecticides -- use your vacuum to sweep up any insects or spiders and then release the canister's contents outdoors.
The best part about making some of these changes is that they don't only prevent bugs from getting in, they also can help you save on your utilities and stop wasting energy. Going green with another plus; that's a win-win!
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