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There’s no doubt that boxelder bugs are a nuisance, and their constant buzzing and presence in fall and spring may prompt you to question what to do about them. These five simple tips can help keep boxelder bugs away and prevent them from entering your home.
What Are Boxelder Bugs?
Often mistakenly thought to be a beetle, the boxelder bug is a black insect with red or orange markings on its wings. These red and black crawling bugs feed on the seeds of the silver maple, ash, and boxelder trees.
The Boxelder Bug Life Cycle
The life cycle of the boxelder bug comprises the following three phases:
- Egg: Translucent brown capsules
- Nymph: Bright red baby boxelder bugs
- Adult: Dark with crimson-veined wings
How to Get Rid of Boxelder Bugs
Stepping on a boxelder bug releases a pungent odor, so it’s best to prevent these annoying bugs from invading your home with these easy tips.
1. Make a Dish Soap Solution Spray
Mix one tablespoon of dish soap in a spray bottle full of water and spray the bugs when they congregate. Sweep the dead bugs into a dustpan and throw them in the trash outdoors.
2. Scrub Down Large Surfaces With a Cleaning Agent
Boxelder bugs are attracted to warm surfaces, but they are repelled by the smell of cleaning agents like dish soap. Washing potentially attractive large surfaces with dish soap and water solution should keep them at bay.
3. Use a Vacuum Cleaner to Scoop Them Up
Suck up boxelder bugs at first sight with your vacuum cleaner. Immediately after vacuuming, remove the vacuum cleaner bag and dispose of it in a bin outdoors. Scrub down the surfaces the insect touched to remove its boxelder bug-attracting scent.
4. Seal Gaps and Cracks With Caulk
The quest for warmth leads these bugs into your house through cracks and crevices. Caulking gaps around door and window frames, skirtings, cornices, and your foundation can prevent a boxelder bug infestation.
5. Close Electrical & HVAC Cover Plate Gaps
Due to their need for warmth, boxelder bugs are attracted to spaces such as switch boxes, air vents, and heating ducts, and they can enter through the tiniest of gaps. Ensure any grills and cover plates are flush with the wall to prevent these bugs from passing through.
Schedule a Service With Quest Termite & Pest to Get Rid of Boxelder Bugs
Experience the care of a family-owned provider with over 20 years of experience when you partner with Quest Termite & Pest. Our EPA-certified team will apply our proven integrated pest management approach to rid your home in Lehigh and Northampton Counties of boxelder bugs. Schedule a service online today!
