How to treat a house infestation

I got the following advice from a pest control professional in Vermont who has extensive experience treating for both stink bugs and western conifer seed bugs. <br><br>- Treat the outside of the house in the fall when the bugs are entering.<br><br>- The outside treatment will last 8 to 10 weeks. It is usually possible to get everything before the 8-week mark.<br><br>- Although the outside treatment fades after 8 weeks, the house will still have a residual effect that will still be killing the bugs for several months. <br><br>- The bugs are usually carried in on firewood, and it is best to leave firewood outside and covered, and bring in only what you will burn that day.<br><br>- If you have a fireplace, the bugs will be living in the chimney, and will fall into the house when the weather warms up in the spring. Either have your chimney professionally cleaned every year, or treat it yourself by sprinkling insecticide into the chimney from the top on a windy day.<br><br>- If you have a woodstove, wasps and bees will be living in the stovepipe, and will be falling into the house all winter long. Either have your stovepipe professionally cleaned every year, or treat it yourself by sprinkling insecticide into the stovepipe from the top on a windy day.<br><br>- In the spring, if the bugs are still getting into the house, it may be necessary to treat the house again, but just treat the south side.<br><br>- If the bugs are still getting in, treat the attic space, but do not spray the insulation. Instead, create a barrier by spraying insecticide on the floor of the attic space, and on the underside of the roof.<br><br>- Diatomaceous earth can be used to treat the attic space if you have animals that sleep in the attic and do not want to expose them to poison.<br><br>- Although the bugs can’t fly in the winter, they can still be carried in on items or clothing. Spraying the clothing you wear outside with insecticide will help prevent this.<br><br>- If you have a garage or shed, you will still have some bugs coming in during the winter on items brought in from outside.<br><br>-If you have a lot of trees or a woodpile, it may be best to spray the yard in the fall. Insecticide sprays can travel a surprisingly long distance, often hundreds of feet. If you have neighbors who also have infestations, you may be able to get them to cooperate with you, and hire someone to spray your whole neighborhood.