Yes, stink bugs do enter homes before winter

 

As a pest control specialist, I can tell you that stink bugs—specifically the brown marmorated stink bug, which is the most common nuisance in homes—actively seek shelter inside buildings during the transition from warm to cold weather, usually in late summer through early fall. They do this as part of a natural process called "overwintering," meaning they are trying to survive the winter months by finding a warm, safe place where they can remain inactive until spring.

 

Why Stink Bugs Want to Enter Your Home

 

During warmer months, stink bugs live outdoors, feeding on plants, fruits, and crops. But as the days get cooler and shorter, their instincts drive them to search for cracks, gaps, and other small openings on the outside of houses or buildings. They are drawn to warmth and protection from cold weather. Homes provide precisely what they seek: stable temperatures, reduced risk from predators, and relative humidity.

When they find loose window frames, cracks in siding, gaps around doors, outlets, or attic vents, stink bugs can squeeze through surprisingly small spaces to get inside. Once inside your home, they don't bite, sting, or cause structural damage—they simply shelter in places like attics, wall voids, or unused rooms to wait out the winter.

 

How to Tell If Stink Bugs Are Getting In

 

Some clear signs that stink bugs have entered your home include:

• Seeing multiple live or dead stink bugs near windowsills, light fixtures, or in rooms you rarely use, especially during fall or early spring.
• Noticing the distinct, musty odor stink bugs release when disturbed or crushed.
• Observing them crawling on the outside of your house during warm, sunny days in early fall as they look for entry points.

 

How to Prevent Stink Bugs from Entering Before Winter

 

Even though stink bugs don't harm you or your house, their sheer numbers and odor can be unpleasant. Effective prevention includes:

• Sealing cracks and gaps with caulk around windows, doors, siding, pipes, utility wires, and attic vents.
• Installing or repairing weather stripping around exterior doors and windows.
• Fixing or replacing damaged window screens.
• Using door sweeps and making sure exterior doors close tightly.
• Inspecting attic and crawl space vents for gaps or tears in screening.
• Turning off exterior lights at night or replacing them with yellow "bug lights," since stink bugs are attracted to lights.

 

What Happens if They Get In?

 

If stink bugs do get inside, they usually stay hidden and inactive during the cold months. However, warmer indoor temperatures or sunny winter days can "wake them up," causing them to emerge and sometimes wander around your home. If you find them, avoid crushing them, as this releases their unpleasant odor. Instead, gently capture and remove them by:

• Using a tissue or a jar to trap and release them outside.
• Vacuuming them up (but be prepared: your vacuum might take on their smell).
• Never spraying pesticides indoors for stink bugs—they’re rarely needed and may be unsafe for indoor use.

By understanding their habits and sealing up potential entry points, you can avoid unpleasant encounters with stink bugs each fall, keeping your home more comfortable and pest-free during winter months.