Pest Identification: Boxelder Bugs

Boxelder Bugs, mainly black with red markings and about ½ inch long, are a nuisance pest for homeowners and a significant pest of Boxelder trees. They feed on the female boxelder tree by sucking plant juices but can also be found on male boxelder trees, ash, maple, and occasionally other plants like strawberries and grasses. However, they typically can't fully develop on these alternative hosts. 

In early October, adult and large nymph boxelder bugs gather on boxelder tree bark, then seek overwintering sites around doors, foundations, and windows. Only mature adults overwinter, traveling from nearby trees or flying miles to find shelter. They hide in cracks, crevices, under siding, and in other protected areas. 

Boxelder bugs are more noticeable in hot, dry summers followed by warm springs but are not always a yearly problem. 

To manage these pests, professional Pest Technicians can apply preventative chemical barriers before they move inside, ideally in the second or third week of August. If boxelder bugs enter a building, a vacuum cleaner is an effective removal tool. Technicians can also identify areas needing sealing for permanent relief. Removing host trees is not generally recommended unless the building is a sensitive facility like a hospital or food manufacturer, where the presence of any insect is unacceptable. 

The Fall Invader Program, performed in August or early September, is recommended for controlling boxelder bugs. Once they enter a building, managing them becomes more challenging. 

Boxelder bugs are considered an Occasional Invader, the best time to treat for them is early Fall (mid-August to early September) with our Fall Invader Program. Once they get in, they are in. Please call Ford's Hometown Services for a quote.