Boxelder Bugs: Everything You Need to Know
The boxelder bug is an interesting little creature that can prove to be quite irritating if it finds its way into your home. Boxelders tend to move in during late fall and early winter months when they begin looking for a warm place. Whether you have a boxelder bug infestation or are just interested in learning about this insect, everything you need to know about boxelder bugs can be found below.
Boxelder Bug Life Cycle
If you are looking to understand more about the boxelder bug and how it behaves, it is important to learn about the life cycle. The boxelder bug emerges from the ground during spring when the weather starts to get warmer. They will feed on ground plants and seeds and will begin mating a couple weeks later. In late summer months, as the weather gets hot enough, they will move to seed-bearing boxelder trees where they will lay eggs on the trunks, branches and leaves.
Once the weather begins to cool down in the fall, the boxelder bugs will start to leave their trees and begin looking for warmer areas. These bugs can fly quite the distance – up to two miles, in fact. This is when you may begin to notice boxelder bugs in your house, but they will be most apparent after winter ends.
Boxelder Infestation Information
Boxelder bugs tend to move in large numbers. If a group of boxelder bugs decided that your house was a good place to hide from the cold, you will likely notice them once they wake up. The insects will follow the warmth into your house’s living areas and sunny areas. Once it gets hot enough, the boxelder bugs will become active again and will begin the journey of leaving your house. However, some may not be successful in their journey: they may end up trapped inside your house, which will be a gruesome surprise for whoever discovers them.
As with any infestation, the best way to manage boxelder bugs is to keep them out of your house in the first place. While they will not breed inside of your house, trapped boxelder bugs may prove to be an annoyance to anyone who lives in the property. These bugs can stain walls, curtains and furniture with their excrement, which will turn the surfaces an orange-brown color. A boxelder bug infestation can be prevented by sealing all possible entry points before the end of August. This includes damaged windows, screens, cable entries and under doors. For stucco, plaster or brick buildings, it is extremely important to seal any cracks and gaps that may have become apparent over time.
Prevention is great, but what do you do if you see boxelder bugs in your house? Because boxelder bugs have a natural lifespan of just a few weeks, it is not recommended to use insecticides inside of your home. Instead, remove them with a vacuum or broom and dust pan. Since boxelders will leave your home in the summer, these don’t make for the worst infestations, but it’s wise to take some steps to prevent their entry at all.
Eliminate Boxelder Bugs with MosquitoNix®
If you have questions on handling a boxelder infestation, don’t hesitate to reach out to the professionals at MosquitoNix. We have years of experience and expertise to help you protect your home against pests or eliminate them once they’ve made their way in. Contact our customer support team to learn about our services and receive a free estimate.
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