fall · 2 min read
Fall Invaders: Stink Bugs, Boxelder Bugs, Crickets and Mice in the Upstate
Why stink bugs, boxelder bugs, camel crickets, millipedes and mice head for Upstate homes in the fall — and a simple checklist to keep them outside.
By The Lemon Pest Control Team ·
The first cool nights of fall are a relief for us — and a signal for a lot of pests that it’s time to find somewhere warm. Here’s who shows up on Upstate homes in autumn, and how to keep them on the outside.
Stink bugs and boxelder bugs
On sunny fall afternoons you may find dozens of shield-shaped brown marmorated stink bugs or black-and-red boxelder bugs gathered on south- and west-facing walls. They’re looking for cracks to crawl into so they can spend the winter in your walls and attic — then wander into living spaces on warm winter days.
What helps: seal gaps around windows, siding, soffits and attic vents before they settle in; vacuum (don’t crush) the ones that get inside; and keep a fresh exterior barrier on the sunny sides of the house.
Camel crickets
Humpbacked, long-legged and startling when they jump, camel crickets (also called cave crickets) love the cool, damp conditions in crawlspaces, basements and garages. They don’t bite or sting, but they can damage stored fabrics and cardboard.
What helps: reduce moisture with a dehumidifier, keep crawlspace vapor barriers and vents in good shape, and store items in sealed plastic bins instead of cardboard boxes.
Millipedes
After a heavy fall rain, millipedes can migrate by the hundreds and end up curled on your patio or garage floor. They usually die quickly indoors, but they’re a nuisance.
What helps: keep mulch thin and pulled back from the foundation, rake leaves away from the house, and make sure door sweeps seal tightly.
Mice and rats
As temperatures drop, mice and rats look for warm shelter. A mouse can squeeze through an opening about a quarter inch wide — roughly the size of a dime.
What helps: look for gaps around pipes, utility lines, garage door seals and crawlspace vents; store bird seed and pet food in sealed bins; and trim shrubs and clear clutter from the foundation.
Your fall checklist
- Seal cracks around windows, doors, siding and utility penetrations.
- Replace worn door sweeps and garage door seals.
- Repair torn window and vent screens.
- Pull mulch and leaves back from the foundation.
- Run a dehumidifier in damp basements and crawlspaces.
- Store food, seed and pet food in sealed containers.
How Lemon helps
Quarterly visits mean your exterior barrier gets refreshed ahead of every season — including fall. Crickets, stink bugs, boxelder bugs, earwigs, silverfish, centipedes and millipedes are covered by both of our plans, and Lemon Premium adds exterior rodent bait stations checked every visit.
See your price before the fall invaders do.