Occasional invaders are a group of insects and arthropods that invade homes when outside conditions make it difficult to survive in their natural habitat. These conditions may be severe heat, cold, excessive moisture or other conditions that are not conducive to survival. For the most part occasional invaders prefer living outside where food is plentiful and harborages are nearly limitless.
A list of occasional invaders includes but is not limited to millipedes, centipedes, lady beetles, boxelder bugs, earwigs, beetles, stink bugs, crickets and some varieties of flies. Most frequently homeowners see these insects in the fall of the year although they can manifest their presence any time of the year if conditions make it tough for them to survive outside Many of these pesky occasional invaders have the ability to bite like stink bugs, spiders and assassin bugs, while others protect themselves by emitting a stinky odor from glands attached on the underside of the insect where the legs meet the body like Asian lady beetles and stink bugs. Many are just nuisance pests that are just looking for a place to overwinter and be protected from severe cold like cluster flies, boxelder bugs, beetles and many other nuisance pests.
Occasional invader populations can be reduced by good timing in doing exterior perimeter treatments (call your local pest control company to find out when would be best in your area). Two of the best ways to control these unwanted tenants is exclusion and habitat modifications. Exclusion is sealing any opening that might allow such pests entry into your home. I admit that this act is very hard to do, especially if the entry point is at the roof line or anywhere ladders are needed to access. The other way to provide effective control is to accomplish habitat modifications. This means clearing away clutter, brush or weeds from the exterior of the home and remembering that outdoor lighting at night puts out the welcome mat for nearly any insect. Managing lighting can save money and be an effective control measure for limiting occasional invader’s entry.
Being aware of insect pests and understanding the nature of those pests can give us the upper hand in their control. Let’s face it, nature does not give the homeowner any breaks. Too hot, too cold or too much moisture drives insects into our homes. Be proactive and prepare for any of these conditions.