Hudson Valley Stink Bug Invasion Begins: 5 Things You Can Do

You may have noticed an increase in stink bugs this weekend. It's official, we're under attack! The yearly invasion has begun and there are 5 things you can do about it now.

According to JournalNow.com, this is the time of year when the dreaded stink bugs start getting ready to hibernate for the winter. Although the weather was much warmer this weekend, there are a few reasons the bugs have started to swarm. First, daylight hours are getting shorter which signals the stink bugs that winter is near. Also, plants and trees that stink bugs live on have started to die off for the Fall, causing the bugs to get ready to hunker down for the colder months ahead.

Pestworld.org has some helpful tips for keeping the stink bugs out of your home. We've picked our top 5:

Turn off lights
Stink bugs are attracted to lights, so it's best to keep porch lights and flood lights off whenever possible. Also, closing blinds and curtains will stop your home from becoming a beacon in the night for a homeless stink bug.

Don't crush them
When a stink bug is crushed, it releases its trademark "stink." Not only is it unpleasant to smell, but the odor also attracts other stink bugs. Using a vacuum to suck them up and disposing of the bag in an outside garbage can is the best way to get them out of the house.

Seal up cracks
Stink Bugs can enter your home through the tiniest of cracks, so grab some caulk and go to work. Seal up any gaps around windows and doors, oil tank vents and basement areas. Putting screens over chimneys and attic vents is also something that lots of people forget to think about.

Check items before you bring them indoors
If your fall cleaning consists of bringing items indoors for the winter, make sure to thoroughly inspect them for stink bugs before bringing them inside. Cardboard boxes stored in the garage are a popular hiding spot. Once they're brought into your warm house, the bugs will make themselves right at home.

Landscaping
Keeping bushes and trees properly trimmed is important as not to give the bugs a direct highway to your roof or siding. Also, remember to store firewood at least 20 feet from your home and never directly on the ground.

Did you solve a stink bug problem in your home? We'd love to hear any tips you may have. Please share them below!