As temperatures begin to cool, many pests start looking for warm places to hide before winter arrives. Unfortunately, that often means your home or business becomes the perfect destination. Fall is one of the busiest seasons for pest activity in Southeast Tennessee, and knowing what to watch for can help you prevent infestations before they begin.
Here are six common fall pests you can expect to see and what you can do to keep them out.
Asian Lady Beetles
Asian lady beetles are often mistaken for harmless ladybugs, but they become a nuisance in the fall when they gather in large numbers on sunny sides of homes before finding their way indoors.
While they do not cause structural damage, they can stain walls, emit an unpleasant odor when disturbed, and become a frustrating indoor pest.
How to prevent them:
- Seal cracks around windows, doors, and siding.
- Repair damaged screens.
- Vacuum beetles instead of crushing them.
Stink Bugs
Brown marmorated stink bugs become very active during the fall as they search for sheltered places to spend the winter. Once inside, they often remain hidden until warmer temperatures cause them to emerge.
Their biggest defense is their odor, which they release when crushed or threatened.
How to prevent them:
- Seal gaps around utility lines and foundation openings.
- Install door sweeps.
- Reduce exterior lighting near entryways when possible.
Rodents
Mice and rats are among the most common fall invaders. As food sources become scarce outdoors, rodents seek warmth, shelter, and easy access to food inside homes and businesses.
Rodents can contaminate food, chew electrical wiring, damage insulation, and spread disease.
How to prevent them:
- Store food in sealed containers.
- Keep clutter to a minimum.
- Seal openings as small as a quarter inch around your home’s exterior.
- Trim vegetation away from the foundation.
Boxelder Bugs
Boxelder bugs often gather by the hundreds on warm exterior walls during sunny fall afternoons. While they rarely cause damage, they frequently find their way inside through tiny cracks and crevices.
Like Asian lady beetles, they are primarily a nuisance pest but can stain surfaces if crushed.
How to prevent them:
- Seal exterior entry points.
- Replace damaged weather stripping.
- Remove leaf litter and debris near the home.
Mosquitoes
Many homeowners assume mosquito season ends when summer does, but mosquitoes often remain active well into the fall in Southeast Tennessee. As long as temperatures stay above freezing, mosquitoes can continue breeding in standing water.
Besides being annoying, mosquitoes can transmit diseases to both people and pets.
How to prevent them:
- Empty standing water from buckets, bird baths, flower pots, and gutters.
- Keep grass trimmed.
- Consider seasonal mosquito treatments to reduce populations around your property.
Termites
Termites don’t take the fall off. While they may be less visible than during spring swarming season, they continue feeding year-round, silently damaging wooden structures.
Many homeowners don’t realize they have termites until significant damage has already occurred.
How to prevent them:
- Eliminate excess moisture around your foundation.
- Keep firewood away from your home.
- Schedule annual termite inspections.
- Maintain an active termite protection plan.
Protect Your Home This Fall
The best way to avoid fall pest problems is to stop them before they move inside. Preventive pest control, routine inspections, and sealing potential entry points can make a significant difference in protecting your home throughout the cooler months.
At Nuclear Pest Control, we help Southeast Tennessee homeowners stay ahead of seasonal pest activity with customized treatment plans and year-round protection. If you’re noticing increased pest activity this fall, our team is ready to help keep your home pest-free.