Boxelder bugs are considered a nuisance pest that feeds on boxelder, maple, and ash trees. They possess no venom and as such are generally harmless to people. They do not sting or transmit diseases but will sometimes bite out of self-defense.
Boxelder bugs are found on boxelder, maple, and ash trees.
The boxelder bug is an 11-14 mm elongate-oval shaped bug with 6-legs and two antennae.
During the warmer months of spring and summer, boxelder bugs like to hang out on the sunny-side of your home or business. They thrive on the leaves and seeds of female boxelder trees. Interior migration takes place when outdoor weather signals winter is on the way. They gain entrance to a structure by way of cracks, crevices, and gaps caused by the natural constant fluctuation of the changes in the weather. Hibernation begins in the late fall or early winter. They begin to leave the comfort of their winter home as Spring approaches. Boxelder bugs do not cause damage to the interior but can leave unappealing orange-colored droppings on furniture and linen.
Boxelders begin their reproduction process in the spring and continue until they need to hibernate in the fall. Eggs are reddish-brown and remain well-hidden in the bark of boxelder trees. Reddish-gray nymphs emerge after only a few days of incubation. The breeding process happens again once the boxelders reach maturity. Boxelders are considered an overwintering pest and after hibernating can be seen basking in the sunshine on the branches of their favorite trees or sporadically wandering about on the pavement or landscaped areas. Frequent copulation is a common sighting.
The easiest and most promising non-chemical technique to getting rid of boxelder bugs is to remove the reason why they are there in the first place. Which means cutting down all the female boxelder trees. Or if you’re planning on planting boxelder trees be sure to select male trees as female boxelders have little to no interest in them.
If you are seeing what you think could be boxelder bugs, we suggest securing the services of a professional pest control company. A pest control operator will identify and help you decide the best action plan for your situation. Exterior treatment could include chemical treatment but interior control will be dependent on an integrated pest management program.
Not only will you be taking care of your immediate boxelder problem but by employing a few basic exclusionary corrections, further infestations from other insects, such as rodents, ants, roaches, wasps, flies, etc. will be kept at bay.
No one can promise to get rid of every insect that invades the exterior of your home or business but we can promise to diminish and in some cases completely eliminate nuisance pests from gaining entrance. Our aim is to keep bugs where they belong: outdoors.
Indoor chemical treatments are generally the last choice of your pest control operator. It is widely recommended that boxelders should be removed with a vacuum cleaner. Sometimes your pest control professional will add a desiccant dust to the vacuum canister where the bugs will quickly die. Discard the contents in a dumpster after completion.
Are you beginning to see boxelders roaming your property? Contact us for more information on controlling boxelder bugs or any other pests you are concerned with.