Serving Memphis, Cordova, Germantown & Collierville TN
As cooler weather moves into Tennessee, some insects begin looking for protected places to spend the colder months. Unfortunately, your home can offer exactly what they are looking for: warmth, shelter, and protection from changing outdoor conditions.
For homeowners in Memphis, Cordova, Germantown, and Collierville, three insects are especially worth watching during the fall: brown marmorated stink bugs, Asian lady beetles, and boxelder bugs.
These pests are generally more annoying than dangerous, but they can appear in surprisingly large numbers. Once they make their way into walls, attics, or other protected spaces, homeowners may continue seeing them throughout winter and again when temperatures warm in spring.
At AAA Termite & Pest, we help homeowners throughout the greater Memphis area manage seasonal pest activity and take preventative steps before insects make themselves at home indoors.
Why Do Fall Bugs Try to Get Inside Homes?
Many insects respond to cooler temperatures by searching for a place where they can remain protected until spring.
During sunny fall days, you may notice insects gathering on exterior walls that receive a lot of sunlight. Those warmer surfaces can attract pests before they begin searching for cracks and openings into the structure.
Potential entry points may include:
- Gaps around windows
- Spaces around exterior doors
- Torn screens
- Cracks around siding
- Openings along rooflines
- Eaves and fascia
- Utility penetrations
- Foundation cracks
- Attic vents
- Crawl-space vents
Once inside, these insects may settle in wall voids, attics, and other quiet spaces.
Most are not entering because they want to infest your kitchen or feed on your belongings. They are simply looking for a protected environment where they can survive colder temperatures.
On warmer winter days, however, some may become active again and appear around windows, lights, or living spaces.
3 Common Fall Invaders Tennessee Homeowners Should Know
While many pests can become more noticeable as the seasons change, these three are especially known for trying to enter homes during fall.
1. Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs
Brown marmorated stink bugs are recognizable by their shield-shaped bodies and mottled brown coloring.
They may also have alternating lighter and darker markings along the outer edges of the body and bands on their antennae.
During the fall, stink bugs often gather around sunny exterior walls before finding their way indoors.
They may enter through:
- Window frames
- Door frames
- Siding gaps
- Rooflines
- Vents
- Small exterior cracks
Once inside, stink bugs are generally not known for reproducing in the home or damaging the structure.
Their biggest downside is right in the name.
When disturbed or crushed, stink bugs can release a noticeable odor. If you spot one indoors, removing it with a vacuum is often a better option than crushing it.
Preventing access in the first place is even better.
2. Asian Lady Beetles
Asian lady beetles can look similar to the familiar ladybugs many people recognize, but they are not exactly the same.
Their coloring can range from yellow or orange to deeper red, and the number of dark spots on their backs can vary significantly.
One common identifying feature is a dark marking behind the head that may resemble the letter M or W.
During fall, Asian lady beetles may gather in large groups on sunny walls before slipping through small openings around the house.
Once indoors, they often settle into protected spaces to overwinter.
While they do not typically cause structural damage, they can become a major nuisance when large numbers begin appearing inside.
When disturbed, some may release a yellowish fluid that can leave marks on certain surfaces.
The best approach is usually to keep them from entering in the first place.
3. Boxelder Bugs
Boxelder bugs are another seasonal pest commonly seen around homes during fall.
They are typically dark gray or black with reddish or orange markings along their wings and bodies.
During warmer months, they may be associated with boxelder trees and other vegetation.
As the weather cools, they can gather on warm exterior surfaces and look for cracks that lead indoors.
Once inside, boxelder bugs may remain hidden in attics, walls, and other protected spaces until temperatures begin to rise again.
Like stink bugs and Asian lady beetles, boxelder bugs are mainly a nuisance.
They are not generally considered a structural threat, but large numbers can be frustrating, and crushed bugs may leave behind stains or odors.
Are Fall Invaders Harmful?
In most cases, stink bugs, Asian lady beetles, and boxelder bugs are nuisance pests rather than serious threats to the home.
They are not typically known for damaging wood or compromising the structure of a house.
The bigger problems are often:
- Large numbers indoors
- Bugs gathering around windows
- Odors when insects are crushed
- Staining on certain surfaces
- Recurring activity every fall
- Bugs reappearing on warm winter or spring days
Even though these pests may not be dangerous, few homeowners want dozens of insects appearing throughout their house.
Prevention is usually much easier than trying to deal with them after they have already settled inside walls or attics.
How to Keep Fall Invaders Outside
The most effective fall pest prevention usually begins with blocking the ways insects get into the structure.
Before temperatures drop significantly, inspect the exterior of your home and look for small cracks or gaps.
Check Windows and Doors
Look closely around window and door frames.
Replace worn weatherstripping and repair gaps that could allow insects to enter.
Door sweeps can also help close openings beneath exterior doors.
Repair Damaged Screens
Check window, door, attic, and vent screens for tears or damage.
Even small openings may be enough for insects to slip through.
Seal Cracks Around the Exterior
Exterior-grade caulk can help close small cracks around appropriate areas such as windows, trim, and utility penetrations.
Larger gaps or damaged building materials may require additional repairs.
Check Utility Openings
Pipes, wiring, cables, and HVAC lines often create small openings where they enter the home.
These areas are worth inspecting during your fall maintenance routine.
Inspect Rooflines and Eaves
Fall invaders do not only enter at ground level.
Check roof edges, fascia, soffits, and eaves for openings or damage that may provide access to attic spaces.
Keep the Foundation Area Clear
Leaves, wood, boards, and other debris piled against the home can give insects places to hide.
Keeping the area around your foundation clean and maintained can make the property less inviting.
Why Timing Matters With Fall Pest Prevention
Waiting until insects are already inside makes prevention much more difficult.
Fall invaders usually begin gathering outdoors before they enter the home.
That means the best time to focus on prevention is often before peak fall movement.
Inspecting and sealing the exterior early gives you an opportunity to close common entry points while insects are still outside.
Professional exterior pest control may also provide another layer of protection when seasonal insects repeatedly gather around your property.
What Should You Do if Fall Bugs Are Already Inside?
If you find a few stink bugs, boxelder bugs, or Asian lady beetles indoors, you can often remove them with a vacuum.
Avoid crushing them whenever possible because some may release odors or stain surfaces.
After removing visible insects, look for the areas where they may have entered.
Check nearby:
- Windows
- Doors
- Vents
- Baseboards
- Attic access points
- Utility penetrations
Seeing a handful of bugs does not always mean there is a major problem.
However, if insects continue appearing in different rooms or large numbers are emerging throughout winter, there may be additional insects hiding inside protected areas of the structure.
Can Professional Pest Control Help With Fall Invaders?
Yes.
Exterior pest prevention can be especially useful when combined with good exclusion and home maintenance.
The goal is to address seasonal pest activity before insects establish themselves indoors.
Professional pest control may help by:
- Identifying the type of pest
- Looking for common entry points
- Evaluating where insects are gathering
- Treating appropriate exterior areas
- Helping homeowners reduce recurring seasonal activity
For homes that experience the same fall pest problem every year, preventative service can be much more practical than waiting until insects begin appearing indoors again.
When Should You Call a Pest Control Professional?
You may want professional help if:
- Large numbers of insects repeatedly gather on your house
- Bugs appear indoors every fall
- You cannot determine how they are getting inside
- Insects are emerging from attic spaces or walls
- Several rooms are affected
- The home’s height or design makes exterior sealing difficult
- DIY prevention has not reduced the problem
- You are not sure what type of pest you are seeing
A professional pest evaluation can help determine what is attracting the insects and what preventative measures make the most sense for your property.
Why Fall Invaders Keep Coming Back
Some homeowners notice the same problem every fall.
That can happen when insects repeatedly find the same favorable exterior surfaces, cracks, and protected spaces around the home.
If those entry points remain available, seasonal pests may continue using them year after year.
That is why long-term prevention should focus on more than simply removing visible insects.
Homeowners should also work on:
- Exterior sealing
- Screen repairs
- Door and window maintenance
- Reducing clutter near the foundation
- Seasonal pest treatments when appropriate
- Routine inspections of common entry areas
Reducing access now can help prevent the same cycle next season.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fall Invaders in Tennessee
- What bugs commonly try to get inside during fall?
- Stink bugs, Asian lady beetles, and boxelder bugs are three common insects that may gather around homes and move indoors as temperatures fall.
- Why are bugs covering the sunny side of my house?
- Some fall invaders are attracted to warm exterior surfaces. Sunny walls can provide warmth as outdoor temperatures begin to cool.
- Will stink bugs damage my home?
- Stink bugs are generally considered nuisance pests indoors rather than structural pests. Their odor when crushed is often the biggest complaint from homeowners.
- Are Asian lady beetles the same as ladybugs?
- They are related but are not identical. Asian lady beetles can vary widely in color and number of spots and may have a distinctive dark marking behind the head.
- Should I spray fall bugs inside my house?
- For a small number of insects, vacuuming can be an effective way to remove them. If large numbers continue appearing, professional evaluation may be more useful because the underlying entry points should also be addressed.
- When should I start preventing fall invaders?
- Ideally, begin inspecting and sealing your home before temperatures drop significantly and before large groups of insects start gathering around the exterior.
Keep Fall Invaders Outside Your Memphis-Area Home
Stink bugs, Asian lady beetles, and boxelder bugs may not be the most destructive pests, but they can quickly become frustrating when they start appearing throughout your home.
Fall prevention should focus on stopping them before they get inside.
Inspect the exterior, seal cracks and gaps, repair damaged screens, check windows and doors, and keep debris away from the foundation.
If seasonal insects continue returning or large numbers are gathering around your property, professional pest control can help provide additional protection.
AAA Termite & Pest proudly serves the greater Memphis area, including Memphis, Cordova, Germantown, and Collierville.
For help preventing seasonal pests from making their way indoors, call AAA Termite & Pest at (901) 457-1117.