September Means Stink Bugs: Simple Steps to Stop Them Before They Get Inside

As September brings crisp air, cooler nights, and colorful leaves, it also brings a less welcome sign of fall: stink bugs. Homeowners in Norfolk, Chesapeake, and across Hampton Roads often notice these pests gathering on siding, window frames, and porches as they search for a way indoors.

Stink bugs want a warm, sheltered space to ride out the winter, and houses provide the perfect opportunity. To keep them out, you need to know why they show up in September, how they sneak inside, and what simple steps protect your home. In today’s blog, our local pest control company walks you through stink bug behavior, practical prevention tips, and how professional pest control keeps them out when DIY solutions efforts aren’t enough.

Why Stink Bugs Flock to Homes in September

Stink bugs are outdoor pests during spring and summer. They feed on plants, fruits, and vegetables, making them common in gardens, orchards, and on shrubs and trees throughout the region. Stink bugs remain outside, busy feeding and breeding as long as the weather stays warm. But when September arrives and temperatures begin to dip, their behavior shifts.

Stink bugs don’t stay active all year long. Instead, they go into a state of dormancy during the colder months. They need a sheltered, dry, and relatively warm place to hunker down to survive the winter. In nature, this often means leaf litter, tree bark, or piles of vegetation. Around neighborhoods and cities, homes offer an even better option.

On sunny fall afternoons, stink bugs often gather on the sides of houses, especially on walls that face the sun. This behavior gives them warmth while they scout for openings. They use the tiniest cracks around siding, windows, chimneys, or eaves. Once inside, stink bugs move into quiet spaces such as attics, wall voids, crawl spaces, or storage rooms.

Although they usually stay tucked away until spring, they sometimes make their way into living spaces during warmer days in the winter. They don’t bite, sting, spread diseases, or reproduce indoors, but are still nuisance pests. As their name suggests, stink bugs release a very unpleasant odor when squished. They may also stain fabrics with their droppings. 

Why Stink Bugs Target Norfolk and Hampton Roads Homes

Homeowners in Norfolk and Hampton Roads notice stink bugs every fall because of the region’s climate and abundant vegetation. The warm summers allow stink bugs to thrive outside, and the cooler fall temperatures push them to seek shelter indoors. 

Houses with older siding, drafty windows, or gaps around utility pipes create easy access points. Even new homes aren’t immune if door sweeps and weather stripping wear down or small openings go unnoticed.

The coastal climate adds another factor. Moisture issues from heavy rain, clogged gutters, or damp crawl spaces attract pests in general, and stink bugs are no exception. If your home has areas with high humidity or if landscaping touches your foundation, you create more opportunities for these insects to gather and slip inside.

6 Simple Steps to Keep Stink Bugs Away

Fortunately, you don’t have to accept stink bugs as part of the fall season. Focusing on prevention in September makes it much harder for these pests to invade. Here are six practical steps homeowners can take:

1. Seal entry points

One of the most effective way to stop stink bugs is to block their access. Walk around your home and look for cracks in siding, gaps around utility pipes, spaces near chimneys, and openings in the foundation. Even tiny gaps are enough for stink bugs to squeeze through, so use caulk or sealant wherever you can.

2. Repair or replace screens and weather stripping

Windows and doors are common entryways for stink bugs. Check all screens for tears, ensure weather stripping fits tightly, and add door sweeps to any exterior doors with gaps underneath. A single torn screen or loose seal is all the opening stink bugs need to get inside.

3. Dim exterior lighting

Like many insects, exterior house lights attract stink bugs at night. Turn off porch lights when not needed, or replace bulbs with yellow, bug-repelling versions to reduce attraction. Keeping light levels low near entry points makes your home less appealing to stink bugs.

4. Maintain your landscaping

Overgrown shrubs and branches that touch the house act as bridges for pests. Trim vegetation away from siding and windows, clear out lawn debris, and keep mulch from piling directly against your foundation. Store firewood at least 20 feet away from your house to eliminate another possible hiding spot.

5. Control moisture

Stink bugs, like many other fall pests, thrive in damp areas. Fix leaky spigots, clean out gutters, and ensure crawl spaces or basements have proper ventilation. A dry home exterior reduces pest activity overall.

6. Remove food attractants

While you can’t eliminate all vegetation outside, you can limit food sources indoors. Store fruits, vegetables, and pantry items in sealed containers. Keep counters clear of food; if stink bugs are especially active, consider moving houseplants to another location until the season passes.

Stop Stink Bugs Before They Move In This Fall

Timing is everything when it comes to stink bug control. Once these pests make their way into walls and attics, they are tough to eliminate without professional help. Prevention in September keeps them from establishing themselves inside your home in the first place.

Think of stink bug control the same way you think of weatherproofing. Just as you seal windows and doors to keep out cold air, you need to seal gaps and maintain your home to keep out pests. Acting now saves time and avoids frustration later, when stink bugs might already be tucked away in places you can’t easily reach.

Contact The Local Pest Control Pros for Help Eliminating Stink Bugs and Other Pests

Even with diligent prevention, stink bugs sometimes find a way inside. That’s where professional pest control makes all the difference. Getem Services’ home pest control services include a thorough inspection to accurately identify current pest problems and locate potential entry points. After that, we’ll apply pest treatments that eliminate existing pest activity, and then, with ongoing service, we’ll make sure insects and rodents don’t have the opportunity to invade!

With over 100 years of experience serving Hampton Roads, Getem Services knows local homeowners' pest challenges. Our team combines local expertise with proven methods to protect your home from stink bugs and other seasonal pests. 

If stink bugs have a habit of showing up around your home every fall, now is the time to act. Don’t wait until these bugs are crawling along your walls or gathering on your windows. 

Contact Getem Services today for expert stink bug control, and enjoy the fall season without unwanted pests inside your home.