Odorous Insects

Odorous insects are, as their name describes, insects that emit a strong odor either as a means of defense or when squished. These insects usually aren’t a problem for people when living outside, but when they find their way inside to escape harsh weather or to overwinter, they become a smelly problem. The most common type of odorous insects that people see on their properties or in their homes include true bugs, stink bugs, elm seed bugs, and box elder bugs.

Most of the odorous insects we deal with live outside in garden areas, grassy areas, wooded areas, or on trees. Their proximity to our homes allow them to find their way inside through cracks that they come across as they crawl over our home’s exterior walls. Openings in the foundation, exterior walls, and rooflines allow these pests to enter into our homes in large numbers. Once inside, the odor that these pests create can become overwhelming, and as they travel throughout our homes, their excrement may stain things like walls, floors, upholstery, and more. Once inside, they are very difficult to get rid of as they hide in dark, hard-to-reach areas of a house. The best way to avoid problems with these pests is to partner with a pest control expert and put a proactive pest control plan in place.

Keep odorous insects out of your yard and home with the help of the professionals at J&M Pest Control and the following prevention tips. Like other pests, the best way to keep odorous insects out of your house is to complete a thorough inspection of your home and seal any openings you find. Stop them from gaining easy access to the outside of your house by cutting shrubbery and tree branches back from its exterior walls. Remove things from your yard that occasional invaders could hide under — fallen trees, tree branches, piles of leaves, and woodpiles. Inside your home, reduce moisture levels by using air conditioners, dehumidifiers, and vent fans. Make surecrawl spaces are free of debris and are well-ventilated.