Monroe • Pike • Wayne • Carbon Counties, PA
Pocono Mountain Stink Bug Control
Monroe County is one of Pennsylvania’s worst stink bug counties — fall invasions can bring thousands into a single home in days. L&L Pest Control has been stopping Pocono stink bug invasions since 1986. Treat before they move in.
Why Pocono Stink Bug Invasions Are Extreme
Forest Habitat
Monroe County's dense hardwood forest is prime stink bug summer habitat. Populations build to enormous numbers by late summer directly adjacent to residential properties.
Elevation & Timing
At 1,400–2,200 feet elevation, Pocono stink bug season starts 1–2 weeks earlier than the Lehigh Valley. South-facing properties at forest edge are hit hardest.
Vacation Home Pressure
Seasonal properties left vacant through fall are uniquely vulnerable — stink bugs can establish inside walls with no one home to notice or respond.
The Pocono Stink Bug Calendar
August (Action Time)
Schedule preventive exterior treatment NOW. This is the best window — before stink bugs begin moving toward structures. Target south-facing walls, window frames, soffits, and all exterior entry points.
September (Invasion)
Peak invasion window in the Poconos. Stink bugs begin massing on exterior walls looking for entry points. If untreated, thousands can enter within days. Follow-up treatment still effective.
October (Too Late to Stop)
Most stink bugs are now inside wall voids overwintering. Chemical treatment ineffective at this stage. Focus on sealing interior entry points and plan preventive treatment for next August.
Spring (Emergence)
Stink bugs emerge from wall voids as temperatures warm. You'll see them near windows and lights. They exit the same way they entered — through tiny gaps in the structure.
Pocono Stink Bug FAQs
Why are stink bugs so bad in the Pocono Mountains?
Monroe County consistently ranks among Pennsylvania's top stink bug counties. The region's combination of dense hardwood forest (a primary stink bug habitat), agricultural edges, tree-of-heaven stands (a preferred host plant), and elevation means stink bug populations build up to enormous numbers by late summer. Properties at forest edge — which describes most of the Poconos — face the highest pressure.
When should I treat for stink bugs in the Poconos?
Preventive exterior treatment should happen in late August to mid-September — before stink bugs begin their fall migration. Treating during the migration itself (late September through October) is still effective but less so than preventive treatment. We recommend scheduling before Labor Day for best results. Once stink bugs are inside walls, treatment options are more limited.
What does stink bug treatment include?
Our exterior barrier treatment targets the entire perimeter of your home — siding, window frames, door frames, soffits, fascia, and foundation. We use residual products that provide 4–6 weeks of repellent activity. For homes with very high pressure, we offer a two-treatment program: one pre-invasion and one follow-up in October.
Can you treat vacation homes and seasonal properties?
Yes. Stink bug treatment for seasonal properties is a major part of our fall business. If your Pocono cabin sits unoccupied through fall, preventive treatment is especially important — thousands of stink bugs can enter walls with no one to notice. We can treat before the season and coordinate with property managers when owners aren't on-site.
What do I do if stink bugs are already inside my walls?
Once stink bugs are overwintering inside wall voids, chemical treatment is largely ineffective and can push them toward living spaces. The best approach: seal interior entry points (electrical outlets, switch plates, window frames, baseboards), use a vacuum to collect active stink bugs, and plan a preventive exterior treatment for the following August to stop next year's invasion.
How much does stink bug treatment cost in the Poconos?
Preventive exterior stink bug treatment runs $200–$350 for most Pocono residential properties, depending on size. Properties with heavy pressure may benefit from a two-treatment program. All estimates are free — call (570) 992-3487 or request online.
Don’t Wait for the Invasion
Treat before Labor Day for best results. Licensed & insured in PA. Serving the Poconos since 1986. Free estimates.