Smith Integrated Pest Management

09/07/2026

09/07/2026

BROWN MARMORATED STINK BUGS: What Are They?

Brown marmorated stink bugs are shield-shaped insects known for invading homes and businesses as temperatures drop. Originally from Asia, they are now common throughout much of the United States.

Adults are approximately 1/2 to 5/8 inch long with mottled brown coloring. Identifying features include alternating light and dark bands along the abdomen and white bands on the antennae and legs.

These stink bugs feed on many plants, fruits, vegetables, and crops. During late summer and fall, they gather on warm, sunny sides of buildings and search for protected places to spend the winter. Once inside, they may hide in walls, attics, window frames, and other sheltered areas. Indoor heat can make them active during winter, causing them to appear around windows, lights, and living or working spaces.

Seeing several around your property may indicate that more are preparing to move inside. Smith IPM can help identify entry points and recommend an effective prevention plan for your Greater Lafayette home or business!

Jeromy Smith Owner,
Smith Integrated Pest Management
Website: www.smithipm.com
Office: 765-268-0087

09/05/2026

FALL INVADERS: Why They’re a Problem

Fall invaders may be looking for a warm place to spend the colder months, but once they move into your home or business, they can bring plenty of unwanted problems with them. ⚠️

Stink bugs can release a strong odor when disturbed or crushed, while Asian lady beetles may stain surfaces and can bite when handled. Cluster flies can gather in large numbers inside walls and attics before emerging around windows on warmer days. Spiders may follow other insects indoors in search of prey, and rodents like mice can contaminate food and surfaces, damage stored belongings, and chew wiring or other materials.

Even pests that don’t cause significant structural damage can become a major nuisance when they gather in large numbers or remain hidden inside a building throughout the winter. Preventative pest control helps stop them before your property becomes their winter shelter.

Reach out to Smith IPM for affordable solutions!

Jeromy Smith Owner,
Smith Integrated Pest Management
Website: www.smithipm.com
Office: 765-268-0087

09/02/2026

FALL INVADERS: What To Look Out For 🍂

As temperatures begin to drop across Greater Lafayette, many pests start searching for a protected place to spend the colder months, and homes and businesses can provide exactly what they need.

Stink bugs, boxelder bugs, Asian lady beetles, cluster flies, spiders, and other occasional invaders may gather on sunny exterior walls, around windows and doors, near rooflines, or anywhere that offers warmth and shelter. Rodents like mice may also begin looking for ways indoors. Once inside, pests can settle into wall voids, attics, basements, and other undisturbed areas, sometimes remaining hidden until a warm winter day or even spring.

Keep an eye out for increased activity and potential entry points around doors, windows, screens, utility penetrations, siding, and foundations since spotting and addressing fall invaders early can help keep them from settling in for the season.

A little prevention now can make a big difference before colder weather arrives.

Jeromy Smith Owner,
Smith Integrated Pest Management
Website: www.smithipm.com
Office: 765-268-0087

08/31/2026

PREVENTATIVE CONTROL: Why It’s Important

The best time to deal with a pest problem? Before it becomes one! 🚫

Preventative pest control focuses on identifying and addressing the conditions that allow pests to enter, nest, and multiply in the first place. Regular inspections and proactive treatments can help catch potential issues early, protect vulnerable areas, and reduce the likelihood of a small pest presence turning into a much larger infestation.

At Smith IPM, we provide preventative pest control solutions for both homes and businesses in the Greater Lafayette area. Our Integrated Pest Management approach focuses on long-term prevention, using targeted, eco-friendly solutions designed to control pests while minimizing unnecessary pesticide use.

Being proactive can mean fewer pests, less damage, and fewer surprises throughout the year.

Not sure where to start? We offer FREE 30-MINUTE ESTIMATES to help identify potential pest concerns and determine the right preventative approach for your home or business.

Contact Smith IPM today to get started!

Jeromy Smith Owner,
Smith Integrated Pest Management
Website: www.smithipm.com
Office: 765-268-0087

08/29/2026

DIY PAPER WASP PREVENTION TIPS

Want to make your home or business a little less inviting to paper wasps? Prevention starts with limiting the sheltered nesting spots and food sources that can attract them to your property. Here are a few simple steps you can take:

✅ Inspect eaves, porch ceilings, decks, railings, sheds, and other sheltered areas regularly for signs of new nests.

✅ Seal cracks, gaps, and openings around siding, windows, doors, rooflines, and other exterior areas where wasps may find shelter.

✅ Keep outdoor trash and recycling containers tightly covered and clean up spills or food residue around them.

✅ Avoid leaving sugary drinks, food, or pet food sitting outside, especially during warmer months when wasp activity is high.

✅ Keep shrubs, trees, and other vegetation trimmed away from buildings when possible to reduce protected areas around the structure.

✅ Check outdoor furniture, play equipment, grills, and other items that sit unused for extended periods, as protected spaces can become potential nesting sites.

If you discover an established paper wasp nest, especially in a high-traffic area, trying to remove it yourself can put you within stinging distance of defensive wasps. Contact Smith IPM today for help!

Jeromy Smith Owner,
Smith Integrated Pest Management
Website: www.smithipm.com
Office: 765-268-0087

08/26/2026

PAPER WASPS: Why They’re a Problem ⚠️

Paper wasps can actually play a beneficial role outdoors by feeding on caterpillars and other insects. The trouble starts when they decide to build their nests a little too close to where people live, work, and spend time.

Paper wasps commonly build nests under eaves, decks, porch ceilings, railings, and other protected areas around homes and businesses. While they’re generally not as aggressive as some other types of wasps, they can become highly defensive if they believe their nest is being threatened. Simply opening a door, doing yard work, cleaning, or spending time near a nest can sometimes bring people closer than the wasps are comfortable with.

Paper wasps are capable of stinging multiple times, and their stings can cause pain, redness, and swelling. For someone with a serious allergy to insect venom, a sting can also become a medical emergency.

The closer a nest is to an entrance, walkway, patio, play area, outdoor workspace, or other high-traffic location, the greater the opportunity for an accidental encounter. If paper wasps have made themselves a little too comfortable around your home or business, Smith IPM can help with effective, eco-friendly pest management solutions!

Jeromy Smith Owner,
Smith Integrated Pest Management
Website: www.smithipm.com
Office: 765-268-0087

08/24/2026

PAPER WASPS: How to Spot Them

Not every wasp buzzing around your home or business is the same. Paper wasps have a few characteristics that can help you tell them apart from yellow jackets, hornets, and other stinging insects. 🐝

Paper wasps are typically about 3/4th to 1 inch long with slender bodies, narrow waists, and noticeably long legs that often hang down while they fly. Depending on the species, they may be brown, reddish-brown, black, or marked with yellow. One of the easiest ways to identify paper wasps is by their nest. They build distinctive open, umbrella-shaped nests made from a gray, papery material created by chewing wood fibers. Unlike enclosed hornet nests, the individual honeycomb-like cells remain visible. You may find these nests in protected areas around homes and businesses, including:

- Under roof eaves and overhangs
- Beneath decks and railings
- Around door and window frames
- Inside sheds, garages, and other sheltered spaces
- On outdoor structures and equipment

Paper wasps can sometimes be confused with yellow jackets, but yellow jackets tend to have stockier bodies with brighter yellow-and-black markings. They also commonly nest underground or inside enclosed cavities, while paper wasps usually build their exposed, open-cell nests above ground.

Spotting the nest and paying attention to body shape can go a long way toward identifying which type of wasp you’re dealing with.

Jeromy Smith Owner,
Smith Integrated Pest Management
Website: www.smithipm.com
Office: 765-268-0087

08/22/2026

DIY FALL PEST INVADER TIPS

As summer begins to wind down in Greater Lafayette, many pests start looking for warm, sheltered places to spend the colder months. Pests such as stink bugs, boxelder bugs, cluster flies, Asian lady beetles, spiders, and more often begin searching our area for overwintering sites as temperatures cool. Taking a few preventative steps now can help reduce unwanted visitors later this fall.

✅ Seal cracks and gaps around windows, doors, utility lines, and your home's foundation to help keep insects from sneaking inside.

✅ Replace damaged door sweeps and weatherstripping to eliminate common entry points.

✅ Keep leaves, mulch, and firewood away from your home's foundation, as they provide ideal hiding spots for insects and other pests.

✅ Trim back shrubs and tree branches that touch your home. They can act as bridges for pests trying to make their way indoors.

✅ Check window and door screens for tears and repair them before cooler weather arrives.

Want to stay one step ahead? Contact Smith IPM now to learn more about our preventative pest control plans for homes and businesses. We'll help protect your property before seasonal pests have a chance to move in! 🍂

Jeromy Smith Owner,
Smith Integrated Pest Management
Website: www.smithipm.com
Office: 765-268-0087

08/19/2026

FREE 30-MINUTE ESTIMATES FROM SMITH IPM

Not sure what's crawling, flying, or buzzing around your property? That's exactly what we're here for.

At Smith IPM, we offer FREE 30-MINUTE ESTIMATES so you can get answers from a trusted local pest control expert with no obligation. We'll inspect the problem, identify what's going on, answer your questions, and recommend the best solution for your home or business.

Whether you're dealing with ants, spiders, wasps, rodents, termites, mosquitoes, or you're simply looking to prevent future pest problems this fall, we're here to help you make an informed decision.

✔ Free 30-minute estimate
✔ Honest, expert recommendations
✔ Eco-friendly treatment options
✔ Residential & commercial service

Don't let a small pest problem turn into a bigger one. Schedule your estimate with Smith IPM today and let us help you take the first step toward a pest-free property!

Jeromy Smith Owner,
Smith Integrated Pest Management
Website: www.smithipm.com
Office: 765-268-0087