Seal your home to keep insects from spending the winter with you

COLUMBIA, Mo. — You aren’t the only one getting cozy for fall. While you are pulling out the flannels, insects are looking for a place to be snug as a bug in a rug for the winter.

“Over the next few weeks, it is critical to ensure your home is properly sealed to avoid insect roommates this fall,” said Emily Althoff, University of Missouri Extension urban entomologist in a press release.

Overwintering insects are more of a nuisance than anything else, says Althoff, but to avoid unwanted company, it is important to seal cracks and entry points in your home with caulk or weather stripping. Pay attention to windows, doors and gaps around pipes and electrical outlets. Door sweeps improve heat efficiency as well as providing a barrier to insects.

Consider trimming back vegetation around the outside of your home and cleaning up yard waste to reduce hiding spots for insects.

Two insects that commonly move inside as temperatures drop are brown marmorated stink bugs (BMSB) and the Asian lady beetle.

BMSB can be identified by alternating black and white bands on their abdomens. They have white bands on their antennae also. While annoying, they don’t bite people or pets. You can spray them off external walls with a hose, or use a vacuum to suck them up if they make it inside your home. After dislodging them, put them in soapy water to ensure death.

Depending upon its orientation, Asian lady beetle has a W or M shape behind its head. Its heaviest flights occur on sunny days that follow cool days. While everybody loves a ladybug, the Asian lady beetle is no lady.

These pesky, somewhat stinky pests like to congregate in attics and wall crevices. When disturbed, they sometimes emit a yellow compound that stains. If they get inside, remove them from walls and surfaces, vacuum and put them in soapy water. Indoor insecticides generally are not effective for Asian lady beetles.