Did you see a stink bug in your chimney or in the fireplace? If so, you're not alone. Stink bugs may travel long distances to find overwintering sites and often congregate in large numbers once they find a suitable area, attracted by a chemical emitted when they find a good site. Because stink bugs may remain hidden for months, by the time they are spotted they may be difficult to completely eliminate.
Western's Stink Bug Reduction program provides an initial inspection in the late summer or early fall to look for stink bugs in common hiding spots and to identify areas where stink bugs may gain access. A very common entry point and hiding spot for stink bugs is the chimney, an area which provides warmth, darkness and easy access, usually through an open damper. Western recommends closing the chimney damper whenever the fireplace is not in use, as well as using the fireplace periodically to help mask or destroy the pheromone that stink bugs emit. These simple solutions can go a long way in blocking stink bug chimney access.
While stink bugs in chimneys is common, they may hide in several other areas of your home, particularly where warmth is in abundance:
Western's trained inspectors identify areas where stink bugs may gain access to your home and will advise you on maintenance and repairs that will go a long way towards prevention by excluding stink bugs from inside your residence or building. These interventions are often quite simple and will help prevent a variety of other pests as well:
Western's inspectors will also identify plants and landscaping that attract stink bugs so you may determine if you wish to remove them or use plant treatments to minimize stink bug infestations. Many plants attract or harbor stink bugs and assistance from Western or a plant or landscaping professional may be in order. Common plants include: Maple trees, serviceberry, birch, butterfly bush, pepper, pecan, catalpa, hackberry, redbud, citrus, dogwood, cucumber, tomatoes, fig, sunflower, honeysuckle, tomato, apple, plum, pear, rose, lilac, linden, viburnum and grape.
With Western at your side, stink bug chimney problems will be a thing of the past.
