Complete Gardening
Fall is officially here. The leaves are turning that crispy golden brown, pumpkin spice is everywhere (seriously, everywhere), and there’s a chill in the air that makes you want to throw on a flannel and tackle a home project.
But while we’re all out there raking leaves, picking apples, or gearing up for the big football game, there are some little critters out there who are also making their own plans for fall – and let me tell you, they’re not as cute as you’d hope.
That’s right, I’m talking about pests. The uninvited guests that try to turn your cozy home into their own personal retreat when the weather cools down.
But don’t worry – I’ve got your back. We’re going to talk about six of the most common pests to look out for this fall and what you can do to stop them in their tracks.
Think of it as your fall pest prevention playbook, because around here, we don’t let anything—especially pests—crash our fall party.
1. Rodents
Let’s kick things off with the king of fall pests: rodents. Mice and rats, specifically. When the weather cools down, these sneaky little critters are on the hunt for food, warmth, and shelter. And unfortunately, your home has all three.
If you’ve ever had one of these guys slip into your house, you know they’re like houseguests that never leave, eating all your snacks and making a mess.
Mice can squeeze through openings as small as a dime. I’m serious. It’s like they have secret ninja skills. They’re looking for any way to get in, whether it’s through cracks in the foundation, gaps in doors, or even vents.
What to do: Start by walking around your home and looking for any gaps or cracks that need sealing. Use caulk or weather stripping to close off those potential entry points.
Don’t forget to check around pipes and vents, too. And if you hear any suspicious scurrying noises in your walls or attic, it might be time to set up some traps or call in the pros. Trust me, you don’t want to share your home with rodents this fall.
2. Spiders
Now, don’t get me wrong—I know some of you are probably okay with spiders doing their thing in the garden, catching bugs and whatnot. I get it. But when they start showing up inside your home, it’s a whole different ballgame.
Suddenly, you’ve got webs in the corners of your living room, and it’s like they’re trying to compete with your Halloween decorations. Not cool, spiders. Not cool.
During the fall, spiders are more active because they’re looking to mate. That’s right, they’re out there making more spiders. And while most spiders are harmless, no one likes the surprise of seeing one scuttle across the floor when you’re trying to relax.
What to do: First, give your house a thorough cleaning, especially in those out-of-the-way places where spiders like to hang out—under furniture, in the attic, and around windows. Spiders love clutter, so the tidier you are, the less likely they’ll stick around.
If you’re seeing a lot of spiders, you can also use natural repellents like peppermint oil, which spiders hate.
3. Stink Bugs
Stink bugs are like that one friend who always seems to overstay their welcome. They invade in droves and have a way of showing up everywhere, from your window sills to your curtains.
And the worst part? They smell. Yep, when you squash them, they release a foul odor, which is how they got their charming name.
In the fall, stink bugs are looking for a warm place to spend the winter, and your home is the perfect spot. They’ll hang out on the sunny side of your house, and when they find an opening, in they go.
What to do: The first step is sealing up any cracks or openings in your home’s exterior, similar to what you’d do for rodents.
Make sure your windows and doors are properly sealed. If stink bugs do get in, resist the urge to squash them—you don’t want that stink in your house.
Instead, vacuum them up and dispose of the bag right away. Trust me, your nose will thank you.
4. Cockroaches
If there’s one pest that makes people shudder, it’s the cockroach. These guys are the ultimate survivors—they’ve been around for millions of years, and they aren’t planning on going anywhere soon.
Cockroaches love dark, damp places, so as the weather cools down, they’re looking for cozy spots inside your home to settle in.
Cockroaches are attracted to food (no surprise there), so if you’ve got crumbs on the counter or dishes in the sink, they’ll find it. And let me tell you, once you’ve got cockroaches, they’re tough to get rid of.
What to do: Cleanliness is your best defense against these pests. Wipe down your counters, sweep the floors, and take out the trash regularly.
Make sure food is stored in sealed containers, and don’t leave pet food out overnight. If you’re dealing with a cockroach problem, you might need to set out some bait traps or call in the experts. Nobody wants these guys hanging around, trust me.
5. Ants
Ants might not seem like a big deal at first, but when you’ve got a line of them marching across your kitchen counter, you’ll quickly change your tune.
In the fall, ants are on the lookout for food, and just like cockroaches, they’re more than happy to raid your pantry.
Ants are persistent little guys. If they find a food source, they’ll keep coming back until it’s gone. And they’re not picky—they’ll go after crumbs, spills, and even pet food.
What to do: The best way to prevent ants is to eliminate their food source. Keep your kitchen clean, and store food in airtight containers. If you see ants, follow their trail to find out where they’re coming from and seal up the entry point.
You can also use ant baits or natural repellents like cinnamon or vinegar to keep them away. And hey, you might get a little satisfaction watching them turn around and head back outside.
6. Boxelder Bugs
If you’ve ever seen a whole bunch of black and red bugs hanging out on the side of your house in the fall, you’ve probably encountered boxelder bugs.
These guys are harmless, but they can be a real nuisance when they start gathering in large numbers. They like to bask in the sun on the warm side of your house, and just like stink bugs, they’re looking for a cozy place to hibernate for the winter.
While boxelder bugs won’t do any damage to your home, they can stain surfaces with their excrement (lovely, I know) and cause a mess when they swarm.
What to do: Start by sealing up any cracks or openings in your home to prevent them from getting inside.
If you’ve got a large number of boxelder bugs hanging out on your house, you can use a hose to spray them away. Just be sure not to crush them—they can leave behind a stain.
For really bad infestations, you might want to call in a professional to help.
So, What’s the Game Plan?
Now that you know the lineup of pests to watch out for this fall, it’s time to get proactive.
Here’s the thing: fall is a beautiful time of year, and you should be spending it enjoying all the things that make it great—apple picking, bonfires, pumpkin carving, and yes, maybe even a little home renovation (because who doesn’t love a good project?).
What you don’t want is to spend fall dealing with an invasion of pests.
The key to keeping these critters at bay is prevention. Seal up any cracks or gaps in your home, keep things clean, and if you do spot a pest, take action before it turns into a full-blown problem.
Trust me, a little effort now can save you a whole lot of hassle later on.
So throw on that flannel, grab yourself a pumpkin-spiced something, and get to work. Your home will be pest-free, and you’ll have more time to enjoy all the best things fall has to offer.
