Latent bugs are the pests that lay dormant in winter and reappear when the temperatures start increasing. The worse thing about these bugs is that they disappear entirely when the weather cools down, giving you a thought that you have got rid of those nasty critters for good. However, as soon as you start believing that these bugs are gone, and spring hits, the return to make you feel helpless again.
Hibernating insects like drain flies, ladybugs, and boxelder bugs can surprise homeowners. As spring season starts, these bugs can be seen on doors and windows. Nevertheless, you will be relieved to hear that these bugs do not breed while hibernating or indoors and also that they don’t cause much damage but they everything about the nuisance.
Why do I have these bugs in my home?
These bugs are looking for the warm temperature to stay alive so, as the weather cools down, they are in search of warm places to hibernate. Buildings and houses become their first choice, and they swarm their way in the outdoor surfaces, trying to look for an entrance.
When they make their way in, they start looking for different cracks and crevices to hide and keep warm through the winter. You might occasionally see them on warm winter days on your windows or doors because the change in temperatures is an indication for them that it’s time to wake up and move out.
How can I get rid of lastes pests?
You must opt to take preventive measures in fall if you want to get rid of these pesky latent bugs. You can eliminate them in the spring too but eradicating the cause is better than destroying the symptom. You must take care of any cracks and crevices throughout your premises. Also, scan your doors and windows to seal off any access points.
Common fall pests
Among the most common fall pests are Asian ladybugs, boxelder bugs, stink bugs, drain flies and cluster flies. Brief details are as follows
Asian lady beetles (ladybugs)
Asian lady beetles or ladybugs are a bit new to the US as they were introduced to contain agricultural pest infestation in southern states. They migrated to the rest of the country and had expanded their territory to Canada. These bugs congregate during fall and hibernate during winter to stay warm. These insects are attracted to old and light colored houses
Boxelder bugs
During the end of summer or early fall, the populations of box elder bugs start to peak. They start preparing for hibernation, and you can often see them on warm sunny days. You can prevent them but get rid of the plants that attract these bugs like box elder trees.
Cluster Flies
Spring and summer are most active months for cluster flies, and they feed on fruits and flowers. Just like the box elder bugs and ladybugs, cluster flies also hibernate in cold months. They might appear dead if you have found them sleeping but they are just taking a nap.
Stink bugs
The brown marmorated stink bug is notorious for destroying crops during the summer season. Nevertheless, they also hibernate during cold months. As the name suggests, these bugs can emit a foul smell if provoked or even squished. They tend to crowd around the sunny areas of your home just like box elder bugs.
Drain Flies
More commonly found around your drains in kitchen and bathroom, the drain flies can be noticed on walls and ceilings, just sitting around not doing much. They are more commonly found indoors when the cold season is on. You can get rid of drain flies by clearing out the crevices found around the drains throughout the house
Conclusion
These latent bugs won’t bite humans, and they are not harmful either. The only trouble they cause is a nuisance because of their vast numbers. The worst part is, they disappear in winters and come back in summers making you think that you won’t be able to get rid of them for good.
However, getting an exterior barrier treatment and sealing off all the cracks and crevices across your premises is the best way to get rid of them for sure. When they won’t be able to enter the house and even upon entering, won’t be able to find any cracks to take their winter nap, they will leave you to house never to come back again.
A professional writer with over a decade of incessant writing skills. Her topics of interest and expertise range from health, nutrition and psychology.