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🦐 Stink Bug & Boxelder Exclusion (August — Before They Start Moving)
- CriticalReplace all door weatherstripping showing gapsHold a flashlight inside a dark room — if you see daylight around any door, stink bugs can enter. Replace the weatherstripping.
- CriticalInstall or replace door sweeps on all exterior doorsIncluding garage doors. Stink bugs and mice both enter under doors. Install heavy-duty sweeps with brush seals.
- CriticalCheck every window screen for holes and tearsSmall screen holes are stink bug entry points. Patch with screen repair kits or replace damaged screens now, before they migrate.
- CriticalCaulk all utility penetrations on exteriorGaps around gas lines, cables, pipes, and electrical conduit where they enter the exterior wall. Use paintable exterior caulk.
- ImportantInstall chimney cap with mesh screeningOpen chimneys are a primary stink bug overwintering entry. Cap with a fine-mesh cap before September.
- ImportantSeal all siding and trim gaps with exterior caulkWalk the full exterior and caulk any gap where siding meets window trim, door trim, or foundation. Focus on south and west-facing walls where stink bugs aggregate.
- ImportantReplace white exterior bulbs with yellow LEDsYellow (2700K) bulbs attract far fewer stink bugs and boxelder bugs to the structure at night. Motion-activated over always-on is best.
- ImportantApply Bifenthrin to south and west-facing wallsLate September — these sun-warmed walls are where stink bugs aggregate before entry. Spray kills bugs landing on the surface.
🐰 Rodent Exclusion & Monitoring (September–October)
- CriticalSet snap traps in garage, attic, and basement NOWBefore mice attempt to enter — set traps in early September. Fresh peanut butter bait. Place perpendicular to walls, trigger facing wall.
- CriticalInspect attic for new entry points and gnaw marksSummer heat causes wood to shift and gaps to open. Fall attic inspection finds these before mice do.
- ImportantSeal foundation cracks with hydraulic cementAny crack wider than 1/4 inch is a mouse entry point. Fill with hydraulic cement or polyurethane caulk before temperatures drop.
- ImportantMove firewood 20+ feet from structureFirewood stacked against the house is the primary fall rodent harborage. Move it now before mice establish themselves in the pile adjacent to entry points.
- ImportantInstall Xcluder mesh around all pipe penetrationsWhere water, gas, and electrical lines enter — pack Xcluder rodent-proof mesh tightly and cover with foam.
- HelpfulApply UV tracking powder in suspect rodent areasNon-toxic fluorescent dust in basement, attic, and garage corners. UV light after 48 hours reveals all active runways.
🫡 Tick — Adult Season (October–November)
- Critical (tick regions)Second tick yard spray (late September)Adult deer ticks peak in October — second Bifenthrin application to woodland edge catches them as they become active for fall mating season.
- Critical (tick regions)Continue permethrin clothing treatment through NovemberRetreat clothing after 6 washes. Adult deer ticks are active until the first hard freeze — often well into November in mild years.
- ImportantContinue tick checks after any outdoor activityDaily full-body checks prevent Lyme transmission. The 36-hour window makes daily inspection effective even in October tick season.
- ImportantClear fallen leaves from yard edgesMoist leaf litter at the woodland edge is prime adult tick habitat in fall. Rake and remove or mulch in place away from the house.
🏠 General Fall Maintenance
- ImportantClean gutters of fall leaves before November rainsClogged fall gutters create overflowing water that saturates fascia boards — prime carpenter ant territory all winter.
- ImportantCheck and clean dryer vent ductLint buildup is both a fire hazard and a pest entry point. Clean the full duct run and verify the exterior flap closes properly.
- ImportantInspect attic and crawlspace vents for screen integrityAny damaged vent screen should be repaired with 1/4 inch hardware cloth before stink bugs and mice begin overwintering searches.
- MaintenanceStore garden hoses and outdoor items that hold waterEliminating outdoor water sources also eliminates late-season mosquito breeding. Drain and store by October 1.
- TravelHoliday travel bed bug protocol — inspect hotel roomsNovember and December travel: pull sheets back, check mattress seams and headboard. Check luggage before bringing inside after return.
- PrepOrder spring pest products before year endBifenthrin, fire ant bait, Bti dunks, IGR spray. Ordering in November or December is cheaper than spring when demand spikes.