Fall Invaders: Protect Your Home from Unwanted Guests This Season

As the temperatures drop and the days get shorter, many pests start looking for warm, cozy places to spend the colder months. These “fall invaders” often invade homes, seeking shelter and sometimes creating a nuisance for homeowners. Understanding these common fall pests, how they behave, and why treating the exterior of your home now is crucial can help keep your living space pest-free as winter approaches.

Meet the Fall Invaders

Ladybugs vs. Asian Beetles — Know the Difference

Ladybugs and Asian beetles (also called Asian lady beetles) tend to swarm toward homes in the fall, but they differ in subtle ways. Ladybugs are round, red or orange with black spots, and are generally considered beneficial because they eat garden pests. Asian beetles, on the other hand, have a more elongated shape and a distinct white “M” or “W” mark on the back of their heads.

Asian beetles can be harder to control because they invade in huge numbers, entering through small cracks and crevices. Once inside, they may emit a foul odor and stain walls if crushed. Their tendency to hide makes them difficult to treat once indoors, which is why preventing their entry by treating your home's exterior is the smartest move this season.

Spiders

Spiders also seek shelter inside during cooler months, with common fall species including cellar spiders and wolf spiders. While most spiders are harmless and can actually reduce other pest populations, their presence indoors can be unsettling. They tend to build webs in corners, basements, and dark, undisturbed areas. Sealing entry points and removing debris outside can reduce spiders’ access to your home.

Wasps

Late fall is a time when wasp colonies begin to die off. However, some female wasps look for sheltered spots to hibernate over winter, which might be your attic, sheds, or behind siding. Wasps can be aggressive when disturbed, so preventing them from gaining entry is important. Removing nests found early and maintaining your home's exterior can reduce wasp activity.

Mice

Mice are notorious fall invaders, entering homes in search of warmth and food. These small rodents squeeze through tiny gaps and multiply quickly once inside. Beyond being a nuisance, mice contaminate food and can damage wiring and insulation. Taking steps to seal exterior cracks and gaps, and treating around foundation areas, cuts off their entry points before they establish themselves indoors.

Stink Bugs

Known for their unpleasant smell when crushed, stink bugs cluster on sunny sides of homes in the fall as they prepare for winter. They can enter through small openings and often gather in large numbers on walls, windows, and door frames. Like Asian beetles, they are difficult to eradicate once inside, emphasizing the importance of timely perimeter treatments.

Why Treat the Exterior Now?

The best defense against these fall invaders is proactive treatment outside your home before they find their way inside. Treating the perimeter: walls, windows, doors, cracks, and foundation, creates a barrier that discourages pests from entering. Once pests get inside, controlling them becomes much harder and often requires extensive indoor treatments or cleanup.

Early exterior treatment also targets pests before they multiply and hide, reducing the chance of infestations and damage later in the season. For creatures like Asian beetles, stink bugs, and mice, this approach prevents larger problems and spares you the discomfort of dealing with infestations where they don’t belong — inside your home.

Fall Pest Prevention Checklist

As autumn settles in and outdoor temperatures start to drop, pests begin searching for warm, sheltered places to ride out the cold months. Homes that aren’t prepared may unwittingly offer easy access for mice, insects, and other unwanted visitors.

• Inspect your home’s exterior regularly for cracks and gaps, especially around windows, doors, and vents.
• Remove leaf litter, wood piles, and debris near the foundation where pests might hide.
• Consider professional perimeter pest control to apply targeted treatments that home DIY solutions often miss.
• Maintain screens on windows and doors to block crawling and flying insects.
• Store firewood and other materials away from your home’s base.

Keeping your home pest-free during fall is about understanding these common invaders and acting early. Treating the outside now not only protects your home’s comfort but also helps avoid more costly and difficult pest problems through the winter months.

Take the Next Step for Comfort and Peace of Mind

Don’t let fall invaders settle into your home. If you want stronger protection, consider reaching out to Midstate Termite & Pest Control for a professional exterior treatment. Our experts know how to target the pests that are most active in your area and create a lasting barrier before they become a problem.