Fall Congregating Invaders

As winter approaches and temperatures start to fall, a number of insects seek out houses to over-winter. They will gather in huge numbers on sunny fall days to prepare for the dormant season. These fall congregating invaders will soon enter under the siding or window & door frames and spend the winter as your guests in the walls of your home. The following insects all have this habit.

About Fall Invaders

Stink Bug

Image © Amanda Melones/Dreamstime.com

There are wide varieties in the family of insects commonly referred to as “Stink Bugs.” The one most commonly seen in our area is large (1” long) and mostly brown in coloration with distinctive markings on the back of its wings. It is rarely seen in the summer, while it feeds in pine trees.

When fall arrives, these bugs will gather on the sunny side of the house for weeks in large numbers. At some point, they will all slip under the siding to hibernate. Like all of these types of insects, they will wake up on sunny winter days as the walls warm up and enter the living space of the house.

There are actually over 400 species of this common, easily recognized insect, and the vast majority of them are beneficial as they consume aphids and other small garden pests. The Asian Lady Beetle was actually released in some states in 1916 and 1964 to help control crop damage. Unfortunately, this species also likes to over-winter in homes and will bite. It also emits a foul-smelling oil when disturbed, which can stain light-colored surfaces.

Lady Bugs/Beetles

Image © Russ Ottens University of Georgia, Bugwood.Org

All of the fall-congregating pests are treated in the same manner. Timing is the key to controlling these pests. A properly timed residual application on the exterior walls of your home each fall will create a protective barrier and minimize problems with these creatures, stopping most of them before they get inside.

Otherwise, once they’re inside, pesticide applications offer minimal help, so the vacuum cleaner is your best bet until next fall. Planning ahead is key!

The Solution

Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes in Michigan

Image © Mrfiza-Dreamstime.com

There are over 2500 different species of mosquitoes worldwide, and over 60 species live in Michigan. Mosquitoes have been around for over 30 million years and have changed little in that time. Mosquitoes found in fossilized materials are identical to those that are alive today. Some species lay their eggs directly on water, while others lay eggs in dryer areas and hatch only after flooding, sometimes as much as five years later.

A single female Anopheles mosquito can lay over 300 eggs at a time. Only female mosquitoes bite; males feed only on plant nectar. Mosquitoes are capable of transmitting a number of dangerous diseases and parasites including Encephalitis, West Nile Virus, Malaria and Heartworm.

Many factors must be considered when planning a mosquito control program. Target species, weather forecasts, size of treatment area, presence of standing water, density of foliage, etc. are just a few items that come in to play. Generally speaking, an application of carefully selected materials combined with a prescribed reduction of habitat will result in a good control program. In addition to monthly service, Shoreline Pest & Wildlife Control can provide single mosquito treatments for special events, such as outdoor weddings, graduation parties, etc.

Controlling Mosquitoes with Shoreline Pest

& Wildlife Control

Silverfish, Fleas, & Cockroaches

This primitive insect is often found in the home. It is shiny silver or gray in color with three long tail-like appendages. Eating foods, clothing, book linings etc., it occasionally does enough damage to warrant treatment.

Shoreline’s Solution: Treating areas inside and outside the house where this insect is found will reduce the population.

Silverfish

Fleas

Fleas are small, hard bodied, wingless insects with a flattened body and legs adapted for jumping onto a host. The cat flea, most commonly found in Michigan, seeks mammals for the blood meal needed to sustain them. They can be a direct health hazard, transmitting several diseases. Humans are often attacked only when other food sources are not readily available.

Shoreline’s Solution: Treating for this insect takes a combination of rather intense treatments to be effective. Occupants of the house are asked to leave for up to 6 hours during treatment. If fleas have started their life cycle in the carpet, it is best to leave this treatment to professionals like Shoreline Pest & Wildlife Control.

German Cockroach

Image Xunbin Pan/Dreamstime.com

This roach with two dark stripes running front to back is found indoors throughout Michigan. It is commonly found in restaurants, homes and stores where food, moisture and harborage are abundant. This disease carrying, filthy insect can build large populations in a relatively short time.

Shoreline’s Solution: Spraying this insect with insecticides can usually make the problem worse, spreading them throughout the house. Shoreline uses special baits and growth regulators to eliminate this pest quickly and effectively. All the customer has to do is sweep up the dead bugs!

This roach is native to Michigan’s woods. It will occasionally enter the home and become a nuisance. Wood roaches are attracted to lights at night and will often hide under the house’s siding during the day.

Shoreline's Solution: Treating this insect from the outside is the best solution. Injecting insecticide dusts under the siding, then power spraying the outside foundation will eliminate this problem.

Wood Roach