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Stink bugs are experts at getting indoors. They can slip through tiny cracks and gaps around windows, doors, siding, and even openings around pipes. They’re also attracted to light, which is why they often gather near windows and doors in the evening when indoor lights are on.
They aren’t trying to freeload off your heating bill—stink bugs enter homes to survive. Indoor warmth allows them to enter a dormant state known as diapause, similar to hibernation.
Your home also offers plenty of hiding spots. Attics, wall voids, curtain folds, and other quiet spaces provide safe, undisturbed places for stink bugs to settle in for the season.
Fortunately, a few simple steps can help keep stink bugs—and other unwanted guests—out of your home:
Inspect the exterior of your house for cracks or gaps and seal them with caulk or weather stripping.
Repair or replace damaged window and door screens.
Switch outdoor lighting to yellow “bug lights,” which are less attractive to insects.
Trim trees and shrubs away from your house to eliminate easy access points.
While stink bugs are annoying, they’re simply trying to survive the colder months. By taking these preventative steps, you’re not harming them—just encouraging them to find a more natural winter shelter. So as the leaves fall and you sip your hot cider, take a moment to stink-bug-proof your home.
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