30 Reasons Why Our Homes Are Full Of Bugs In The Fall

1. Wolf Spiders

image source: Reddit

Spiders become more active in the fall because they are hunting for insects that are also sheltering indoors to keep warm. Wolf spiders may be crawling around your home, from side to side, during these months. They have 8 eyes, all prominent and large! Don't panic as they won't harm humans, they are only after their insect dinner.

2. Bed Bugs

Image source: Reddit

After hearing about what appears to be an epidemic in Paris regarding bed bugs, it's enough to leave us feeling itchy! Bed bugs are around all year but there is a noticeable increase in them during fall. Don't be a victim and hoover your mattress and headboard every 3-4 weeks, as well as regularly washing bedding on a high temperature.

3. Bees and Wasps

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Bees are responsible for pollinating up to 90% of plants and there would be a massive shortage of crops if it wasn't for the humble bumble bee! It's quite common to see more of them during fall and best to carefully remove them out of your home. Late season wasps can be very angry at this time of year so don't annoy them or they'll sting!

4. Ladybugs (Lady Beetles)

Image source: Reddit

Ladybugs, known as ladybirds in England, like to find shelter in the warmth, to escape those dropping temperatures during the fall months. Your home will be a perfect place for them to live. As well as warmth, they are attracted to light. It can look a bit alarming when there a dozen or so of them crawling along your floor or sitting on your furniture.

5. Biting Midges

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A leisurely walk on a fall day is a great way to shake off the cobwebs and get your 10,000 steps in! Be prepared to see clusters of biting midges, especially if it's damp and mild. The females love to bite and scents like deodorants, perfumes and aftershaves can attract them. You'll know when you've been bitten by the itchy, red marks they leave.

6. Stink Bugs

Image source: Reddit

Stink bugs don't like the cold so if they see a way to get into your home, they'll do their best to settle there. If you've now got your central heating going, they'll be even more attracted to the warm room. If they feel threatened, they will release an unpleasant odor.

7. Centipedes and Millipedes

Image source: Reddit

These creatures look horrid as all you can see is a long thin body and a multitude of limbs! They, like many other insects, want to get out of the cold and need only the smallest of spaces to crawl into your house. They are harmless but can pose a nuisance in numbers.

8. Carpet Beetles

Image source: Reddit

If you are storing fabrics and carpets in the fall, make sure they are in an airtight wrap. If not, they could attract carpet beetles, especially if the storage area is even slightly damp.  once they settle, they will lay their eggs and before you know it, you've got an infestation.  Sorry!

9. House Flies

Image source: Reddit

House flies are a nuisance, mainly because they buzz so loudly and they can be quite a size. You might notice more of them from September though to the middle of November as they desperately search for warmth and food indoors. Word of warning - don't leave any edibles uncovered!

10. Ants

Image source: Reddit

As the weather cools, after a (hopefully) sunny summer, ants can make their way into the home, looking for anything to cure their rumbling tummies. Any remnants of food can attract a huge number of ants and they tend to gather on window sills in their hundreds.

11. House Crickets

Image source: Reddit

House crickets come inside to escape the cold. You'll know when these unwelcome guests arrive as they make a chirping sound. You are more likely to see them in your kitchen if you have lots of plants as crickets feed off them. They are attracted to moisture so any dripping taps should be repaired promptly.

12. Silverfish

Image source: The Today Show

Clear away any old newspapers and magazine as silverfish have a habit of playing hide and seek in the paper, before they eat it! You should fill in any holes or cracks during fall to stop any entry points for them. You might even spot them by peeling wallpaper. Take this warning as a sign to get that DIY done!

13. Earwigs

Image source: Reddit

There are some people who are frightened of earwigs and to be honest I'm not a fan. If there's more than one (and there often is during fall) I have been known to let out a scream! Earwigs like moisture and fall rains can accidentally drive them inside as they continue to search for wet environments.

14. Carpenter Ants

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There's nothing nicer, when the nights are drawing in, than to sit around an open fire and listen to the crackle of the logs. Speaking of logs, carpenter ants love to make their home in wood that has moisture damage so watch out. They tend to establish satellite colonies.

15. House Spiders

Image source: Reddit

House spiders have one objective. They want to spin their webs indoors, once it's getting cold outside, so they can catch other insects. It's quite amazing to see them spinning and they do so anywhere, by curtains or on the leg of a table! As long as it's warm they aren't fussy where they do it. Just to confirm, they are harmless to humans.

16. Mosquitoes

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You're probably going to be shocked when we tell you that it's not only the summer months that mosquitoes rear their ugly head and cause crazy itching when they've bitten you to get to your blood!  Some species can live indoors in the fall and can still nip you.

17. Moths

Image source: Reddit

Moths want to hang on for as long as they possibly can so when fall comes around, they will sneak through an open window and annoy you with their flapping. If you leave your big lights on, they will be more attracted to your home! It can be quite frightening to see some of them as they can be huge, both with their wings and their bodies.

18. Cockroaches

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One of the reasons you may find cockroaches in your house in fall is because of the temperature. There is another reason though and that is that cockroaches like to have access to water and food sources. Products that are left out and not wrapped properly will attract them.

19. Termites

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A colony of termites can remain active right through fall and into the winter. They will stay inside whichever structure they have infested. As the queen termite lays eggs all year round, you don't need us to tell you the impact that can have on the size of the colony.

20. Rodents (Mice Or Rats)

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As temperatures start to drop when fall approaches, rodents are already one step ahead.  They are actively looking for a warm home, with access to food. This makes the ordinary house an attractive option for them and they will try to access it through any holes they can find.

21. Fruit Flies

Image source: Reddit

Fruit flies are horrible. They can be much more abundant in the fall due to ripening fruits and vegetables inside our homes. They usually lay their eggs on rotting or overripe fruit and veggies and can multiply by 500 in the first week so very easy for the infestation to get out of hand.

22. Boxelder Bugs

Image source: Reddit

These bugs will feed on boxelder and maple trees which both shed seeds in the fall. The boxelder bugs will  congregate on the side of homes that get a bit of sun during the season and they can make their way into the home, multiplying far too quickly for anyone's liking.

23. Cluster Flies

Image source: Reddit

Cluster flies don't like the cold so will seek a warm part of your home such as in between wall voids and in the attic. Although they don't pose a risk to humans, they can contaminate food and cause stomach upsets. As they can travel in swarms of over a thousand, it can be a scary sight.

24. Springtail Bugs

Image source: Reddit

Springtails like to live in high humidity environments such as in mulch, damp grass or under the fallen leaves of the season. Unfortunately, they can be found inside our homes in September and October, choosing to reside under the kitchen sink, in bathrooms and basements, basically anywhere humid and damp.

25. Firewood Pests (Beetles and Termites)

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Pests such as termites and beetles are known as firewood pests. They can hitch a ride on firewood brought inside and hen the firewood is stacked up, the pests can infest your home. Best not to bring the logs inside until they are ready to go on the fire. Otherwise, wait until the temperature freezes outside as they will be killed off.

26. Asian Lady Beetles

Image source: Reddit

Although Asian lady beetles offer one benefit as aphid controllers, they are guilty of eating native ladybugs and other "helpful" insects. They tend to be prominent in the home during fall but don't panic. Although they can bite, it is unlikely they will do so and they usually stay clear of humans and pets.

27. Leaf-Footed Bugs

Image source: Reddi

Leaf-footed bugs are brown bugs that can be found on magnolia. They feed on plants and may inadvertently get into your home during fall. If you have indoor plants and your room is warm, the bugs will be happy to stay there. They can be a nuisance if you get an infestation of them.

28. Fleas

Image source: Reddit

Fleas will thrive in homes that have pets and the numbers will drastically increase in the fall. You will notice if your pet is carrying them and you'll also be aware if they've had lunch on you. Their bite leaves an itchy, red, blotchy mess on your body and is so uncomfortable. Your pets can also bring them into the home!

29. Drain Flies

Image source: Reddit

Drain flies are in their element when they can live in damp drains and they can become much more noticeable when the indoor humidity rises especially in the fall. They can be partial to a bathroom drain, quite frightening. Apparently, using apple cider vinegar is one of the best ways to get rid of them.

30. Woodlice

Image source: Reddit

These arthropods prefer damp conditions and can enter homes seeking moisture once fall is upon us.  You will recognise woodlice as the hard backed insect that scuttles along the floor.  They are not thought to transmit disease but can, in some instances, damage wooden flooring.