As soon as the weather gets cooler, these little red shield-shaped invaders start marching into your home. They are notorious for the pungent smell that they emit when they are disturbed, which can last for 1 to 2 hours and make your home an unwelcoming place to live.
In Arlington, these brown stink bugs have become such a common issue that the leading pest control companies report that 40% more service calls come during peak season due to stink bugs. Intense urbanization, plentiful vegetation, and a relatively mild climate are making Arlington a great place for stink bugs to hang out.
Although DIY solutions may alleviate pests in Arlington, a full-scale stink bug invasion needs expert intervention to keep your Arlington home protected against these bugs!
Table of Contents
When Do Stink Bugs Invade Your Home
In Arlington, stink bugs usually migrate in late September through early November. When temperatures fall below 70°F, these pests begin their search for a warm place to hibernate for the winter. Your home’s consistent warmth, paired with protection from harsh weather conditions, makes it an attractive target.
This is just in time for invasion season, when Arlington boasts some of the most beautiful fall foliage around, and many residents would like to be in their outdoor spaces. And that timing is unfortunate: stink bugs are already on the prowl for places to crawl in, correct, when you want to throw open the windows and get some fresh air into your house.
Damages Stink Bugs In Arlington Bring (and Solutions)
Property Damage to Siding and Exterior Surfaces
Taking shelter from the fall chill, stink bugs cluster on the warm side of Arlington homes, but the stains and residue they leave behind may be permanent on vinyl siding, brick, and painted surfaces. Their secretions are acidic and will eat away at specific materials over time.
Solution: Pressure wash and apply a protective sealant regularly to prevent permanent damage to your home.
Indoor Air Quality Issues
As they scuttle about, a particular compound is released that can cause respiratory irritation and headaches if you crush them in your Arlington home. This is terrible news, of course, for anyone who suffers from asthma or allergies.
Solution: Vacuum cleaner—suck those live bugs up, then throw the bag away outside as quickly as possible to avoid the bad smell inside the house.
Contamination of Food Storage Areas
These annoying intruders commonly invade pantries and kitchens, e.g., by traveling onto food packages through their stinking excrement and through the bacteria that they take in from the environment.
Solution: Try to store food in air-tight containers & keep kitchen platforms clean to minimize attraction and prevent cross-contamination
Damage to Gardens and Landscaping
The stink bugs feed on vegetables, fruit, and ornamental plants in Arlington’s residential gardens. In years when the infestation is heavy, local community gardens report crop losses of 15% to 25%.
Solution: Companion Planting with Marigolds and Chrysanthemums naturally repels stink bugs from your garden areas.
Sleep Disruption and Stress
Stink bugs, just as often heard as more commonly played insects buzzing, constantly creep across the floors and wall space, putting continued pressure on Arlington families.
Solution: Seal all entry points into the bedroom. Use white noise machines to drown out the sound of any supplements remaining while the professional kills the bugs.
Why Do We Always Recommend Going With a Professional?
The problem with DIY stink bug control methods is that stink bugs are highly resilient and resourceful. While store-bought sprays and traps may capture a handful of insects, they do not address the reasons insects are entering or build an obstacle for them to enter again.
Green Pest Services has reclaimed the homes of hundreds of Arlington residents by creating extensive treatment plans, targeting the pests currently in residents’ homes and wherever they can enter. If the stink bugs invade, however, their technicians know what to do; they understand the challenges posed by Arlington’s climate and home styles.