Seeing an occasional pest insect in your home or business is frustrating, but swatting a few flies or relocating a spider outdoors is manageable for most folks. However, when you’ve got dozens and dozens of creepy boxelder bugs swarming on your Fairfax property, it’s not something you can handle alone.
What Are Boxelder Bugs?
Boxelder bugs take their name from the boxelder tree. These insects are so dependent on the boxelder tree for sustenance that they’ve become synonymous with it. From the leaves to the seeds, boxelder bugs will eat just about everything a boxelder tree has to offer.
These insects are a little strange to look at. They have flat, oval-shaped bodies usually measuring around 1/2 inch long. Their shield-like bodies are propped up by six gangly legs and two prominent antennae jut out of their heads. Boxelder bugs are generally black in color with red markings around the fringe of their bodies.
Boxelder bugs like to hang out around boxelder trees in the spring and summer, but can be found congregating on stones, roofs, and other flat surfaces that get lots of sun in the fall season. As the weather turns cold, they will seek shelter indoors to overwinter. Inside, they like to hibernate in attics, wall voids, crawlspaces, and other low-traffic areas where they won’t be disturbed.
Are Boxelder Bugs Dangerous?
Boxelder bugs aren’t really dangerous. They don’t spread disease or parasites, nor do they destroy property or belongings. They can cause minor damage to trees, but this usually results in nothing more than some discoloration. And though boxelder bugs can bite, they rarely do. Though you should know that boxelder bugs can emit a foul odor if threatened or crushed.
The danger of box elder bugs is the stress caused by dealing with their huge numbers. They don’t reproduce indoors, and once they emerge from their winter slumber, they only want to get back outdoors to their beloved boxelder trees.
However, the appearance of dozens, possibly hundreds of bugs squirming around your home or business isn’t something you want to deal with regardless of how docile these bugs may be. Their red droppings can cause staining, especially on fabric. And if boxelder bugs die indoors, their carcasses may attract other pests.
How To Prevent
Boxelder Bugs
When it comes to boxelder bugs, prevention is the name of the game. Ensuring that these pests can’t penetrate your property’s defenses is the best solution to an infestation. Some ways that you can prevent boxelder bugs from infesting your Fairfax property include:
- Sealing cracks and gaps – Check your property for any cracks or gaps around doors, windows, pipes, and cables and seal with silicone caulk. Don’t forget to repair any cracks in your foundation, as well.
- Repairing and replacing – Examine your window or door screens for any tears and repair or replace as needed. That goes for weather stripping and door sweeps, too! Be sure to check any vents, ducts, or outlets on the exterior of your property. If casing or plates are loose, replace as needed.
- Removing boxelder trees – While boxelder bugs may feed on other types of trees, the boxelder is their absolute favorite.
- Removing any boxelder trees on your property will almost certainly result in fewer boxelder bugs.
If you’ve noticed boxelder bugs on your Fairfax property, trust the experts at Bluebird Pest Solutions to take care of the problem. With comprehensive residential and commercial pest control options available, we’ll eliminate your boxelder bug infestation at the source and prevent future infestations from happening. Contact us today for more information.
