Stink Bugs Moving Indoors as Fall Temperatures Drop

Brown marmorated stink bugs overwinter indoors in Central Ohio. When fall temperatures drop, they move from gardens and tree lines into the warmest shelter available — your home — through gaps around windows, doors, and vents.

Stink bugs are farm and garden pests that became a household nuisance across Ohio. They don't bite or reproduce inside, but they cluster in wall voids, attics, and behind window trim, and release their namesake odor when disturbed. The smell is the main complaint — a few bugs in a sealed room can make a kitchen smell for days.

Fall control is exclusion plus removal: seal entry points, remove clusters by vacuuming, and treat exterior harborage where they gather before they move in. Indoor sprays alone don't solve it because the population is already in the wall voids.

If you live near fields, tree lines, or wooded lots in Central Ohio, stink bug pressure is higher every year. A fall exclusion service now is far cheaper than dealing with wall-void clusters all winter.

Fall FAQ

Do stink bugs live inside my house?

They overwinter inside wall voids and attics but don't reproduce indoors. They leave in spring to feed outside.

How do I get rid of the stink bug smell?

Remove the bugs (vacuum) and ventilate. The odor fades once the source is gone. Do not crush them.

Can stink bugs be prevented?

Yes — sealing windows, doors, vents, and foundation gaps in early fall is the most effective prevention.

Related: Residential pest control

Service area: Dublin, Genoa and Gahanna.