Fall Pests in NJ: What Bugs Are Most Active as the Weather Cools?
As the summer heat gives way to the cool crispness of fall in New Jersey, many residents look forward to sweater weather, pumpkin spice, and colorful foliage. But along with these autumnal joys come some less welcome visitors: fall pests. As temperatures drop, many insects and critters seek warmth and shelter, often finding their way into homes.
Understanding fall pests in NJ, what bugs are most active, and how to prevent them from taking over your living space is crucial to keeping your home pest-free.
Why Fall Brings an Influx of Pests
Pests are particularly active in the fall because they are preparing for winter. Many species cannot survive the freezing temperatures of winter, so they begin looking for a warm place to hunker down. The drop in temperature causes bugs to enter homes and other sheltered areas to avoid the cold, making residential areas prime targets for infestations.
The moderate climate and wooded areas in New Jersey create an ideal environment for various pests. Fall is a transitional season that increases bug activity, and homeowners often deal with more pests inside their homes than during other times of the year.
Stink Bugs
Stink bugs are one of the most notorious fall pests in New Jersey. These shield-shaped insects are particularly problematic during the fall as they seek warm places to overwinter. They tend to gather in large numbers, especially on sunny sides of homes, trying to enter through cracks, windows, or doors. While stink bugs are not harmful to humans, their presence can be pretty bothersome due to the unpleasant odor they release when disturbed or crushed.
Prevention Tip: Seal cracks around windows, doors, and siding to prevent them from entering. Repair damaged screens and use weather stripping on doors and windows.
Spiders
With cooler weather comes an increase in spider activity. In the fall, many spiders come indoors for food and warmth. Some common spiders in New Jersey include the house spider, wolf spider, and black widow. Though most spiders are harmless and beneficial (since they feed on other pests), their presence in the home can cause discomfort for many people.
Prevention Tip: To keep spiders out, reduce clutter inside your home where they like to hide, trim outdoor vegetation back from your house, remove webs, and vacuum corners where they tend to gather.
Boxelder Bugs
Boxelder bugs are another common fall pest in New Jersey. These black bugs with red or orange markings are typically found near boxelder trees. In the fall, they congregate on warm, sunny sides of buildings and eventually make their way indoors through tiny openings. While boxelder bugs don’t bite or cause significant damage, they can be a nuisance in large numbers.
Prevention Tip: Caulk and seal any openings in your home’s exterior to block entry points. Since they congregate around trees, removing or trimming boxelder trees can reduce their population.
Ladybugs (Asian Lady Beetles)
While ladybugs are often seen as beneficial insects because they feed on aphids and other pests, the Asian lady beetle, which looks similar to the native ladybug, can become a fall pest. These beetles seek shelter in homes and buildings as the weather cools. Once inside, they can release a foul-smelling yellow fluid when stressed or crushed, staining surfaces and emitting an unpleasant odor.
Prevention Tip: Prevent Asian lady beetles from entering your home by sealing cracks, repairing screens, and ensuring proper insulation around windows and doors.
Rodents
While not technically an insect, rodents like mice and rats become more active as the weather cools, seeking warmth and food. In New Jersey, mice and rats are common fall invaders that can cause significant damage once inside a home. They chew through insulation, wires, and food packaging, creating health hazards by leaving droppings behind.
Prevention Tip: Store food in rodent-proof containers, seal cracks and holes to block entry points, and clear away outdoor debris that rodents could use for shelter.
Cluster Flies
Cluster flies are another pest that seeks warmth as temperatures drop. Unlike houseflies, cluster flies move much more slowly and tend to gather in groups around windows, attics, and other warm areas in your home. Once indoors, they can be challenging to eliminate, as they enter through small gaps and cracks in walls, siding, or around window frames.
Prevention Tip: Caulk windows and doors and ensure screens are intact to keep cluster flies out. Vacuum up any flies that make their way inside.
Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants are usually more active during the spring and summer, but fall is when they seek out nesting sites in preparation for winter. If you’ve had carpenter ants outdoors during the summer, fall is the time to be extra cautious, as they may try to move indoors to nest. These ants can cause structural damage by tunneling through wood to create colonies.
Prevention Tip: Remove any decaying wood or debris near your home, repair water-damaged wood, and seal cracks and entry points in your foundation and exterior walls.
Crickets
Field and camel crickets are two species commonly found in New Jersey homes during the fall. Field crickets are typically attracted to light and warmth, while camel crickets prefer damp, dark areas like basements or crawl spaces. While crickets are generally harmless, their constant chirping can annoy them indoors.
Prevention Tip: Use a dehumidifier to keep your basement dry and seal any gaps or cracks around your home to prevent crickets from getting in.
Silverfish
Silverfish are small, wingless insects that thrive in damp, dark environments. As the weather becomes cooler in the fall, they often find their way indoors for humidity and warmth. While silverfish don’t bite, they can damage paper, wallpaper, and textiles.
Prevention Tip: Keep areas like basements, bathrooms, and kitchens dry and well-ventilated. Use a dehumidifier if necessary, and store paper and fabric items in sealed containers.
Ticks
Although ticks are more commonly associated with summer, they remain active into the fall, particularly in wooded and grassy areas. In New Jersey, deer ticks and other species can still pose a risk during autumn hikes or outdoor activities. Ticks can transmit diseases like Lyme, so it’s essential to remain vigilant even during cooler months.
Prevention Tip: Wear long sleeves and pants when walking through wooded areas, and always check yourself, your family, and your pets for ticks after spending time outdoors.
Keeping Fall Pestsin NJ Out of Your Home
Preventative measures are vital to keeping fall pests from taking over your home in New Jersey. Here are a few additional tips:
- Seal Entry Points: Bugs and rodents can enter your home or business through tiny cracks, holes, and gaps. Inspect your home’s exterior for potential entry points and seal them with caulk or weatherstripping.
- Keep It Clean: Pests like food and water sources. Keeping your home clean and free of crumbs, spills, and clutter will reduce the chances of attracting bugs.
- Inspect Windows and Doors: Ensure all screens are intact and that windows and doors close properly. Installing door sweeps can help to prevent pests from entering under doors.
- Trim Vegetation: Pests like ants and spiders can use shrubs, trees, and other vegetation as a bridge to your home. Keep plants and trees trimmed back from your house.
- Proper Storage: Store food in tightly closed containers and regularly dispose of garbage to keep pests away.
By taking these steps, you can enjoy the cool and colorful fall season in New Jersey without the annoyance of pests entering your home.
Contact NJ Pest Control today to eliminate any wildlife or pest problems you may be experiencing.
