Invading Creepy-Crawlers to Watch Out for This Fall

Pumpkins on the porch. Cobwebs in the windows. A chill in the air. Fall has officially arrived. But while you’re busy leaning into the season of haunted houses and Halloween scares, the real creepy-crawlers aren’t playing dress-up.

As temperatures drop, pests of all shapes and sizes go looking for warmth, food, and shelter. And your home is prime real estate. The good news? A little knowledge—and a solid pest protection plan—can help keep the ghoulish guests outside where they belong. Let’s shine a flashlight on three of the worst offenders.

SPIDERS: The Eight-Legged Houseguests You Didn’t Invite

Fake cobwebs strung on the porch are festive. The real ones stretched across your hallway? Not so much. When the weather cools, spiders head indoors to find quiet corners where they can spin their webs undisturbed. Basements, attics, garages, and bathrooms are favorite hangouts, thanks to the steady supply of other bugs.

Most spiders you’ll find in Mississippi homes are harmless, and some even keep pest populations in check. Still, no one likes to surprise one of these eight-legged nuisances as it’s shooting across the floor in the middle of the night. And while wolf spiders, house spiders, and orb-weavers are generally nuisance pests, the South also has its fair share of more concerning species. The brown recluse and black widow, for example, may keep a low profile but can deliver dangerous bites if threatened.

What to watch for:

• Webs tucked into ceiling corners, window frames, or behind storage boxes
• Increased activity in bathrooms, basements, or other damp areas
• Larger ground-dwelling spiders like wolf spiders, which don’t spin webs but may dart quickly across floors
• Hidden spots in shoes, clothing piles, or rarely used cabinets where brown recluses or black widows may shelter

Why it matters: Spiders aren’t showing up for the décor. They’re following the food chain. Where there are spiders, there are other bugs—and that’s a sign your home could use a closer look.

STINK BUGS: The Odorous Opportunists

If there’s one insect that can ruin a crisp fall afternoon faster than a leaf blower at 7:00 a.m., it’s the stink bug. These shield-shaped invaders show up in early fall, searching for ways to sneak indoors before winter sets in. Once inside, they hunker down in attics, crawlspaces, and wall voids. You may not notice them right away—until a warm day tricks them into emerging. And when disturbed? They release that unmistakable odor that clings to fabric, furniture, and air alike.

In the outdoors, stink bugs are also agricultural pests. They feed on fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants, leaving behind unsightly scars and damaging crops. So they’re a double threat: a nuisance in the yard and a stinker in the home.

What to watch for:

• Dozens clustering on the sunny sides of the house
• Sneaky entry through cracks in siding, window frames, and door gaps
• Sudden appearances on curtains or lampshades in late fall and early winter

Why it matters: Beyond the smell, stink bugs can stain surfaces and, in large numbers, become a frustrating nuisance that’s tough to tackle without professional help.

ANTS: The Never-Ending Army

You might think ants are a summertime problem, but fall has its fair share of invasions. As food becomes scarce outdoors, ants march inside in search of crumbs, sweets, and shelter.
Mississippi homes often deal with fire ants, carpenter ants, and odorous house ants. The latter earns its name with a smell that rivals stink bugs when squished. Carpenter ants, meanwhile, tunnel through wood, potentially causing damage that’s on par with termites if left unchecked.

The tricky part? Carpenter ant damage can sometimes be mistaken for termite activity. Both pests hollow out wood, but they do it differently—and both can weaken your home’s structure if ignored.

What to watch for:

• Long trails across baseboards, counters, or kitchen floors
• Small mounds in the yard close to the house
• Hollow-sounding wood (a sign of carpenter ants at work)

Why it matters: Ants are resilient, persistent, and rarely travel alone. By the time you notice one or two, a colony may already be settled in.

Removal Methods & Recommendations

Halloween scares should be temporary. Pest problems don’t have to linger, either. Here are a few steps you can take now:

• Seal entry points: Caulk around windows and doors, repair torn screens, and close gaps in siding or foundation.
• Keep it clean: Regularly sweep, vacuum, and store food in airtight containers. Even a few crumbs can keep ants coming back.
• Eliminate moisture: Repair leaky pipes, clean gutters, and ensure crawl spaces are well-ventilated. Spiders and ants both thrive where moisture attracts prey.
• Declutter storage areas: Cardboard boxes and piles of clothing create perfect hiding spots for spiders and stink bugs. Switch to plastic containers where possible.
• Mind your firewood: Keep woodpiles at least 20 feet away from the house—ants and spiders love to hitch a ride inside.
• Call in the pros: DIY only goes so far. Havard Pest Control has been protecting Mississippi homes since 1947, and we know exactly how to stop spiders, stink bugs, ants, and everything in between.

This fall, don’t let the real creepy-crawlers steal the spotlight from your pumpkins and porch lights. Whether it’s spiders spinning webs, stink bugs sneaking in, or ants marching across the floor, Havard Pest Control is here to keep your home protected.

We’ve been the Gulf South’s trusted pest experts since 1947, serving families with hometown values and proven results. So while you enjoy spooky season, let us handle the truly scary stuff.
Schedule your free home inspection today and enjoy a pest-free season—no tricks, all treats.
[schedule online] | [800-898-0264]

References

• Mississippi State University Extension – Household Insects
• Mississippi State University Extension – Control Household Insect Pests
• National Pest Management Association – Seasonal Pests
• Southern Pest Control – Southern House Spider (Gulf Coast)