Utah homeowners with boxelder trees on or near their property might be all too familiar with the headache caused by boxelder bugs.
These bugs are mostly harmless, but that doesn’t make them any less of a nuisance when they cover your home’s exterior walls or sneak their way inside in the winter. Boxelder bugs are particularly unwelcome when they appear in large swarms and leave behind their distinctive odor.
To help you achieve a bug-free living space all year round, continue reading for our best tips for getting rid of them and keeping them away.
What Are Boxelder Bugs?
Boxelder bugs belong to the same family as leafhoppers, aphids, stink bugs, cicadas, and other insects with piercing and sucking mouthparts. They are most abundant outside during hot, dry summers and try to move into homes during the fall and winter months. They can detect temperature changes as little as one degree, so it doesn’t take much for them to start relocating inside when they sense the cold coming. They are innocuous insects, but can still give homeowners a headache since they tend to congregate in large numbers. Grouping together increases their chance of security, survival, and reproduction.
You can identify boxelder bugs by their size and color. Adults are about ½-inch long and are usually black with orange or red markings. If you get close enough, you might also notice three stripes on the area right behind their head. Adults also have wings that overlap each other over their bodies, forming an x-shape. Nymphs look similar to adults, but lack wings.
Do Boxelder Bugs Bite?
Although they can be a nuisance, boxelder bugs generally do not sting, bite, or transmit disease.
The type of bug is considered a “true bug,” which means that it has a specialized mouth designed for sucking the juice from boxelder trees. They do this by piercing the outside and using suction to retrieve the juice.
Boxelder bugs are capable of piercing human flesh, but since they don’t feed on humans, they rarely bite. If they’re being pressed into the skin, they might bite as a defense mechanism. If you are bitten by a boxelder bug, there’s no need to worry as they aren’t known to cause any lasting effects. They will generally leave behind a harmless mark similar to a mosquito bite.
How to Remove Boxelder Bugs
Boxelder bugs are quite prevalent in the state of Utah since they thrive in warm, dry climates. Although they don’t cause structural damage, their ability to reproduce quickly can be bothersome. They also produce a strong, unpleasant number when they gather in large numbers. These pests like to enter homes during the winter months and live outside when it’s warm. Whether inside or outside, here are some tips for eradicating these persistent bugs from your property.
How to Get Rid of Boxelder Bugs Inside Your House
Homes with a hefty amount of sun exposure tend to see more boxelder bugs as they love to get their suntan on. To prevent an infestation, here are a few guidelines:
- Install door sweeps to all doors that lead outside.
- Seal all windows with caulk or polyurethane spray foam.
- Seal outdoor pipes, vent covers, or other cracks that could act as a crawl space for bugs.
- Repair any holes in windows or door screens.
- Install a rubber seal along the bottom of your garage door.
- Remove or trim boxelder trees in your yard.
If you already have a bug problem, try the following suggestions to eliminate them from the inside of your home:
- Spray insecticides on the exterior walls of your house where the bugs tend to congregate. Always read the label before use.
- Spray bugs with a combination of dish soap and water. This will kill the bugs and keep other ones at bay.
- Clean the surfaces where they tend to gather with dish soap. Focus on warm, heat-reflective surfaces.
- Instead of crushing the bugs, vacuum them up. Squashing them can stain surfaces and release an odor that attracts other insects.
- Seal vent covers and replace any that are not sitting properly.
- Use a lightweight insect trap to remove boxelder bugs that don’t hang out in plain sight. The most effective traps use light or glue to lure the bugs.
How to Get Rid of Boxelder Bugs Outside Your House
Homeowners with seed-bearing boxelder trees are probably quite familiar with these pesky bugs. If you spot them in your yard or around the perimeter of your home, here are some treatment options that might help them take a hike:
- Sprinkle food-grade diatomaceous earth around the base of your trees and the perimeter of your home. Be particularly generous around windows and doorways. If it rains, you’ll need to reapply this treatment.
- Spray insecticide around the perimeter of your home and any other areas where the bugs tend to congregate. South and west-facing walls that are warmed by the sun are common hotspots.
- Rake up fallen boxelder seed pods as soon as they start dropping in the fall.
- Spray out the bugs with a hose set to the strongest stream possible.
- Consider replacing your trees if no other solutions are effective.
- Hire a professional pest control service for the most efficient results.
Boxelder Pest Control in Utah
Summit Lawn & Pest Control is proud to offer superior pest control services to eradicate stubborn boxelder bugs. With over 10 years of experience in the green industry, it is our mission to provide Utah County with high-quality service and affordable rates. We formulate the best products available on the market today so that your lawn can become the best-looking property in your neighborhood. Whether you’re in need of a pest exterminator or lawn services in Orem or the Utah County area, our highly qualified technicians have the experience needed to help solve your problem.
We service all of Utah County, Utah, including Lehi, Orem, Provo, Eagle Mountain, Spanish Fork, and more. Reach out today to schedule your free assessment and find out what we can do for your yard!
