![]() ![]() These insects primarily suck sap from leaves, seeds, and young twigs of seed-bearing boxelder trees. The mouthparts of these insects do have the ability to prick the skin and may leave a tiny red dot, but are otherwise harmless. Boxelder Bug Bitesīoxelder bugs very rarely, if ever, bite people. Boxelder bugs are found throughout the eastern United States and west to eastern Nevada. On warm winter days, you may find some wandering around your living space where they will leave reddish stains from their droppings on your curtains and other surfaces and emit a bad smell when crushed. Boxelder bugs are just an annoyance and are harmless. This is when these pests will sneak through cracks in your doors, windows, and foundation and then call your wall voids and attic their home for the winter. Then as the days get colder they will seek shelter for hibernating during the winter. In the fall, boxelder bugs will congregate in large numbers on the south side of trees, rocks, and buildings, enjoying the warmth of the sun. Organic Tick & Mosquito Control Program.Simply dilute one to two tablespoons of liquid dish soap in water in a spray bottle, then spray directly to indoor bugs to kill them. While store-bought insecticides to combat indoor boxelder bug infestations are available, you can avoid their chemicals and cost with a homemade solution made from handy household ingredients. Dispose of the traps as soon as possible to keep odors at bay. The most effective traps use glue or light to lure and then ensnare bugs. To catch these undercover creepers, place a lightweight insect trap in the out-of-the-way areas. Not all boxelder bugs hang out in plain sight-some prefer to hide in the basement, attic, or near ceilings. Since boxelder bugs don’t reproduce indoors, you needn’t worry about another home invasion if you dispose of those already in the house and then seal any openings. Avoid squashing the bugs this will leave a stain, especially on carpet. Dispose of collected bugs immediately to eliminate their smelly remains, which can attract other, more destructive insects like Dermestid beetles. The easiest way to banish a few stray boxelder bugs in the home is to vacuum them up from the floors, wall crevices, or windowsills and doorways where they often lurk. If boxelder bugs overcome exterior treatments and invade your home… Vacuum them up. How to Get Rid of Boxelder Bugs Interior Treatments for Boxelder Bugs Also consider that the benefits of the tree-shade, privacy, and curb appeal-may outweigh the insect nuisance. Keep in mind that the more mature the tree, the costlier it will be to remove. Since the pests feed on the seedpods of female boxelder trees, removing them and replacing them with non-seed-bearing male trees (or other species) can help you be rid of the bugs permanently. After the insecticide kills off the bugs, siphon them out with a vacuum, then seal up the cracks with caulk to prevent new bugs from entering. Steer clear of plants and your lawn (which perimeter insecticides can destroy), and keep pets and kids away from newly treated areas. Applying a Pyrethrin-based residual insecticide formulated for the perimeter ( view example on Amazon) to these crevices will kill boxelder bugs before they migrate indoors to overwinter.ĭonning gloves and safety glasses, spray the insecticide according to the manufacturer’s instructions to exterior cracks and crevices on siding, windows, doors, eaves, and attic vents. Spray residual insecticide.Ĭracks and crevices on the exterior of your home can be a hotbed for boxelder bugs in autumn. Repeat the treatment if rain removes the powder or new swarms emerge. ![]() The powder will penetrate the exoskeletons of the bugs to dehydrate and kill them in a few hours. Sprinkle additional powder along the perimeter of your home, focusing on entry points like windowsills and doorjambs. The food-grade variety, readily available in home centers and online ( view on Amazon), is deadly to boxelder bugs yet non-toxic to humans and pets.ĭonning gloves, safety glasses, and a dust mask, scatter the powder in the manufacturer-recommended amount around the base of boxelder, maple, or ash trees using a manual hand duster or plastic feed scoop. Deploy diatomaceous earth.īanish moderate to large swarms with diatomaceous earth, an organic, talc-like powder comprised of the fossilized remains of microalgae. ![]() Keeping boxelder bugs at a manageable amount can prevent the need for more involved treatment necessitated by larger swarms. While this technique won’t kill or reduce their population, it will temporarily discourage the growth of a swarm. Small clusters of boxelder bugs are easily broken up with a forceful stream from a garden hose. If you spot boxelder bugs in your yard or around the perimeter of the house… Blast them with water. ![]()
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