Perhaps you haven’t heard of boxelder bugs; they’ve got a funny name and not everyone is familiar with them. But they are nuisance pests that are common in spring and fall throughout Boise, emerging in spring when the weather gets warm and the trees start to bloom. They come back again in fall. Red or orange-and-black in color, these crawling bugs don’t pose a danger to humans but they are annoying bugs that you don’t want to live amongst.
To minimize a boxelder bug infestation, prevention is key so they don’t congregate on your property in the first place. Try these tips and then, if you still end up with an infestation, get in touch with your local boxelder exterminator in Boise for efficient, expert help.
What Are Boxelder Bugs?
Also referred to as boxelder beetles, boxelder bugs are not really beetles but are actually a species of “true bug” found on trees such as boxelder, maple, and ash. They are usually dark brown or black featuring orange-red wing veins. Their lifecycle is short, with them only living for a few days, or a week at most. Here’s a look at their life cycle:
- Egg
- Nymph
- Adult
During the winter, you don’t see boxelder bugs. But as soon as the weather gets warm, get ready for their re-emergence!
Boxelder Bugs: Prevention
Heed these tips for keeping boxelders away from your yard and home no matter the season:
- Vacuum Them: When you see a boxelder, vacuum them up but then be sure to throw out the bag right away. If not, the bugs will simply crawl right back out. After that, use soapy warm water to clean the area where they were gathered.
- Seal Doors and Windows: When boxelder bugs hang out, they push one another into gaps, cracks and other openings in their hiding spots. They will then be attracted to a heat source until they make their way into your home or other building. This is why you should seal gaps around door and window frames using caulk.
- Spray Them With Dish Soap: Mix up a tablespoon of dish soap and water and put it in a spray bottle. Spray the infestation with the mixture, saturating them so they scatter and then die. Scoop the dead bugs up and place them in the trash. Refrain from crushing them or you will be met with a foul odor. In fact, that foul smell, along with their bad taste, is why boxelder bugs don’t have many predators. Even spiders will turn their nose up at them. Pretty good survival mechanism if you ask us!
- Clean All Surfaces With Dish Soap: Boxelder bugs thrive on heat-reflective surfaces like the exterior of a building. It’s not much work to make it inside your home from there, so deter them by spraying or scrubbing their hiding spots with warm, soapy water; alternatively, you can use a scented cleaning solution. If you accidentally squish them, wash the area to remove the pheromones that may attract other bugs.
- Trim or Remove Box Elder Trees: Boxelder trees are what attract boxelder bugs in the first place, producing “helicopter” seed pods. Remove the whole tree, or trim it regularly, raking up or mowing fallen seed pods.
Boxelder Pest Control in Boise
Reach out to our Boise pest control company if you suspect a boxelder infestation in or around your home. We can give you a free quote and schedule an inspection when you contact us at 208-600-8734.
