Pest Guide · Lake of the Ozarks
Stink Bugs: how they live, why they invade & how to get rid of them
Brown marmorated stink bugs are the shield-shaped invaders that show up on sunny walls in fall, sneak inside to overwinter, and then bumble around windows again in spring. They don't bite or breed indoors, but they come in numbers - and yes, they earn the name if you squash them.
How stink bugs live
Stink bugs spend the warm months outdoors feeding on plants, then seek a warm, protected place to wait out winter. Your home's sunny south and west walls are a beacon; they slip in through gaps around windows, siding, soffits, and utility lines and cluster in wall voids and attics until spring.
Why they come into your home
Warmth and shelter draw them as temperatures drop. Sun-warmed walls and any unsealed gap - around windows, vents, siding, and the roofline - become the front door for an overwintering crowd.
Signs of a stink bugs problem
- Shield-shaped bugs on sunny exterior walls in fall
- Bugs at windows and light fixtures indoors
- A pungent odor when they're disturbed or crushed
- Clusters reappearing in spring as they try to leave
How to get rid of stink bugs
Sealing them out is the real fix - once they're in the walls, you're mostly managing stragglers. A fall exterior treatment before they enter, plus sealing gaps around windows, soffits, and utility penetrations, keeps the numbers down. Indoors, vacuum them up rather than crushing (odor), and empty the vacuum.
How to keep them out
- Seal gaps around windows, siding, soffits, and utility lines
- Add or repair screens and door sweeps
- Treat the exterior before fall invasion
- Vacuum up indoor stragglers; don't crush them
- Reduce exterior lighting that draws them to walls
Dealing with stink bugs at the Lake? All American has treated them since 1971 - local, licensed, and using no-odor products that are safe around kids and pets. We'll identify what you have and put together a plan that actually solves it.
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