10/20/2026
Reports are in, and stink bugs are ranking among the most searched pests this month! We’ve certainly noticed the increase ourselves, with a huge spike in calls from homeowners dealing with these stinky little guests. So let’s talk about why they’re showing up and what you can do to help keep them out of your home.
As temperatures begin dropping here in Kentucky, stink bugs start searching for warm, protected places to spend the winter. Unfortunately, our homes provide the perfect hiding spots. They commonly enter through small gaps around rooflines, soffits, siding, windows, and doors before settling into attics and wall voids.
Prevention is HUGE when it comes to stink bugs! Sealing up your home before colder weather arrives is one of the best ways to stop them before they become a problem. Homeowners can help by using an exterior-rated sealant to close gaps around windows, doors, utility lines, and other openings. We also recommend inspecting gaps beneath fascia boards, along soffits, and around rooflines. For larger openings or areas that require ventilation, we prefer breathable exclusion materials such as B3X Exclusion strips. Just remember, ventilation openings should never be completely blocked.
Unfortunately, many homeowners are already past the ideal preventative stage this season, so let’s talk about what you can do now.
When stink bugs have already started entering a structure, we’ve found that a combination of targeted treatments and exclusion work can provide the best results. Depending on the structure and areas of activity, we may utilize an insecticidal dust in appropriate cracks, crevices, wall voids, and other labeled treatment locations where these pests may be hiding.
We then apply a residual liquid insecticide to targeted exterior areas to help control active stink bugs and reduce additional activity around the structure.
Once the initial activity has been addressed, we recommend identifying and sealing potential entry points, along with maintaining exterior pest protection when appropriate.
Here’s something many homeowners don’t realize: Stink bugs that have already made their way into your walls or attic may remain hidden throughout the winter. On warmer, sunny days, they can become active and find their way into your living space. This means you may continue seeing occasional stink bugs even after treatment and sealing.
A few helpful tips if you’re dealing with stink bugs right now:
* Avoid crushing them! Stink bugs release an unpleasant odor when disturbed.
* Vacuum up stink bugs you find indoors and dispose of the contents outside.
* Check around windows, doors, attic openings, and exterior siding for potential entry points.
* Avoid sealing active exhaust vents or blocking necessary attic ventilation.
* Remember that exclusion work doesn’t just help with stink bugs. It can also help prevent rodents, wasps, and other unwanted pests from entering your home.
