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When the summer heat begins to fade, youll notice certain bugs seeking warm spots to overwinter.
These bugs belong to the stink bug family and are known as boxelder bugs (or box bugs).
They tend to invade homes during the colder months.
But first, lets learn more about these bugs.
What Are Boxelder Bugs and What Do They Look Like?
This means that boxelder bugs have piercing and sucking mouthparts.
These insects get their name from the boxelder tree that they feed on.
Image credits:MelaniMarfeld
Adult boxelder bugs are about half an inch long.
Their wings are flat and overlap to form an x shape.
Their bodies are shaped like long ovals with six legs and two antennae.
Image credits:davidjmidgley
Nymphs are immature boxelder bugs.
They look similar to adult insects but are bright red when they hatch and eventually turn black.
These bugs are 1/16th of an inch long.
You are less likely to come across nymphs in real life.
Boxelder bugs are often confused withbeetlesor milkweed bugs.
However, beetle wings form a straight line and dont cross to create an x shape.
On the other hand, milkweed bugs have similar color patterns as boxelder bugs but are brighter red.
Where Do Boxelder Bugs Originate From?
Image credits:Kilbourne
Boxelder bugs are primarily found in the Western part of the United States.
But they can also be found in Eastern Canada and throughout Nevadas Western and Eastern portions.
They congregate wherever boxelder trees are found.
What Do Boxelder Bugs Eat?
Sometimes, they also feed off the male boxelder trees or fruit and ash trees.
This behavior is less common.
What is the Lifecycle of the Boxelder Bug?
Boxelder bugs can produce 13 generations every year, yet they have a lifespan of just one year.
The boxelder tree buds open when the weather starts warming up in late April or early May.
This is when the bugs emerge from hibernation, searching for shelter and nourishment.
They can produce up to 200300 eggs at once.
These eggs take 1014 days to hatch.
Nymphs might be present in the fall, but only fully grown adult boxelder bugs can survive the winter.
They prefer warm and dry places, often found in attics or ditches.
Since they can fly, they might travel as far as two miles.
Once the colder months have passed, the bugs wake up from hibernation and become active.
Thats when you will notice large swarms around your home.
Seeing so many bugs at once might be scary!
Are Boxelder Bugs Harmful?
These bugs arent considered dangerous or harmful to humans or pets.
They dont bite or sting, and they dont transmit diseases.
Here are a few things you should know about them.
The leaves might turn slightly yellow and crinkle due to the bugs sap-sucking behavior.
Additionally, fruits might lose their aesthetic appeal, which can be troublesome, especially in orchards.
Despite these issues, plants can generally survive a boxelder beetle swarm.
They also release an unpleasant smell when crushed.
Since they congregate in large numbers, they can be a source of filth, which is undesirable.
The bugs flat bodies allow them to squeeze through cracks easily, so ensure all possible entryways are closed.
Regularly inspect sites where boxelder bugs might hide.
Clear up fallen plant leaves or sticks as often as possible to keep these bugs away.
A less drastic measure is to trim the plant regularly and collect the seed pods as they fall.
Theseunusual bugscan also travel as far as two miles.
Consider a permanent community-wide solution if these trees are widespread in your locality.
A vacuum cleaner is your best bet to eliminate these stink bugs.
Also, dont leavedead bugslying around because they attract larders and carpet beetles.
This will suffocate the bugs.
Throw the bag away immediately.
Clean the areas where you found the bugs so that no stink lingers.
Take yourgarden hoseand spray them hard to convince them to disappear.
you could wipe out a swarm by using an insecticide.
Spray the insecticide around the perimeter of your home around late summer or early fall for the best results.
The issue with using insecticides repeatedly is that boxelder bugs get immune to the formula.
In such cases, use pesticides as a last resort.
Boxelder bugs will die if their thermal threshold is exceeded.
You must spray water heated to 160180F.
Be careful with this method because you’re free to get hurt or burnt.
Spray the outside of your house to clear any boxelder bug infestation quickly.
you might also apply it to cracks and holes where you think the insects might hide.
Dont spray this chemical on your plants orlawnbecause it can stunt their growth.
It is a natural and organic insecticide.
This causes them to lose fluids and eventually dry out or die.
Boric acid also kills boxelder bugs by disrupting their digestive processes and damaging their nervous system.
Use these powders to naturally get rid of boxelder bugs outside.
Sprinkle them on entry points such as doorways and windowsills.
Diatomaceous earth, in particular, is a non-toxic substance that is safe for pets and humans.
Be careful not to squash the bugs, or else they will release an unpleasant smell.
Mums flowers, citrus plants, and citrus oils emit scents that repel boxelder bugs.
Consider planting these trees or using their oils in areas where the bugs congregate.
Herbs like sage, cloves, andlavendercan also reduce the likelihood of a boxelder bug infestation.
Time for Boxelder Bugs to Bug Off!
Keeping with the bugs theme, here are somequirky insect cartoonsto make you laugh!
Most Asked Questions About Boxelder Bugs
How to Get Rid of Female Boxelder Trees?
you could cut the trees down to a stump with the help of a mulcher.
It will then be easier to remove the stump and roots mechanically.
Do Boxelder Bugs Bite?
Boxelder bugs dont bite but might pierce the skin as a defensive attack if provoked.
This is similar to amosquito biteand only causes minor irritation to the skin.
Boxelder beetles also cant sting because they dont have stingers.
What Kills Boxelder Bugs?
What Does Dish Soap Do to Boxelder Bugs?
you’ve got the option to make a boxelder bug-killing spray with water and dish soap.
This solution breaks down the bugs outer shells, which can cause them to dehydrate and die.
you’re free to also drown them in a bucket of soapy water.
