If you were around in the 1960s, you probably remember the beatle invasion. If you have been around since last year, you may remember the beetle invasion. Unlike the phenomenon that was The Beatles, the insects known as beetles are a phenomenon every year. And, they’re not alone in their ability to amaze and astound us. Beetles are just one of many invaders that may appear in your Minneapolis or St. Paul home this fall and stick around for winter. Like magic, they will appear in your curtains, on your walls, on your window sills, and more. If you live in the Twin Cities, here are a few facts you should know about fall pests.
Fact 1: Most overwintering pests are just using your home to escape the cold.
Boxelder bugs live on boxelder trees, in general, and get their sustenance from feeding on their juices. Sometimes, these bugs will feed on maple or ash trees, when boxelder trees are scarce. Since you probably don’t have any boxelder, maple, or ash trees inside your home, the only reason they come in is to escape the cold. In nature, boxelder bugs warm themselves on the sunny side of rocks and hide under the bark of trees when it starts to get really cold. On your property, they will congregate on the sunny side of your house and hide under the bark of your home (the siding) when it starts to get really cold. If there are entry points, they can allow these bugs to get inside.
Multi-colored Asian lady beetles (MCALB) and other overwintering pests do something very similar. They don’t get into homes to find food. They enter homes to get away from the cold. But, also, because there are entry points. The key to keeping overwintering pests out is to make a barrier they can’t get through.
Fact 2: When fall pests get into a home, they often die.
The pest world is an ecosystem of eat or be eaten. When overwintering pests get into a home, they often become food for other pests. While control of overwintering pests has the immediate benefit of reducing the number of irritating bugs crawling around in your home this winter, it has the secondary benefit of reducing all of the pests in your home.
Fact 3: Some fall pests are not seen until spring.
There are many critters that can get into a home and stay silent all winter long. When fertile female wasps hide in your eaves, soffits, roofline, attic spaces, or wall voids, you’re not likely to know about them till those females come back out and begin to establish spring nests. MCALB, also referred to as lady bugs, enter into a form of hibernation called diapause. They won’t be a problem until spring arrives and they try to get out or if there are unusually warm days in the winter.
Now is the time to get ready for fall pests. If you need assistance creating a barrier that will resist beetles and other fall invaders, give Adam’s Pest Control a call.
