Boxelder Bugs
… can be annoying, to put it mildly. Finding one in your… well, let’s not go there, as I could fill this entire page, and you already know, or you wouldn’t be reading this.
They’re inside because it was getting chilly last Fall, and temperatures became consistently in the 40s ( F degrees) signaled them that it was time to find a place to hole-up for the winter and rest.
Rest assured… they are not breeding, nor are they ‘purposely’ contaminating your food.
So… they landed where it was still warm to bask in the sun. That was probably the sunny side of your home unless there was a boxelder or maple tree on another side. In any case, as the sun went down and they found a way inside and clustered together to preserve warmth… and later found a way to the inside of your home, where it is even warmer.
The room you see them in is very close to where they are grouped together in clusters of hundreds.
Typical places you my find them is in improperly insulated window/door frames. Coming out of canned lighting, bathroom or kitchen vents which have damaged or non-existent baffles, baseboards, and fireplaces. Should you spray them with pesticides inside your home?… No. you would kill every one you that hit, but then you would have to vacuum it, so instead just vacuum them while alive and don’t contaminate your living environment.
We do use pesticides, albeit small amounts in specific places out of the reach of children or pets. CRACK & CREVICE and/or DRILL & TREAT are both acceptable treatment methods inside, and can reduce your problem about 80%, but you probably won’t find the right materials at your hardware store.
Fox Valley Environmental Pest Control does provide these services in Kane and DuPage counties, and nearby communities. In addition, we can reduce the winter frustration next year by treated the exterior of your home each Spring and each Fall. Expect 80% improvement inside in winter if the outside is treated regularly.
FAQs
Will they grow in numbers? But, without service, you may continue to see them inside annually
Do they contaminate my food?
They may accidentally land on your food. Otherwise, No.
Do they bite and/or are they a health risk?
They are only a nuisance (in your face) pest.
Can they be sealed out?
Yes, once we know where they are invading, FVEPC can seal that area.
Are Asian Lady Beetles and Stink Bugs treated/sealed the same way?
Yes, In most cases. Keep in mind that they do not invade in exactly the same places. For example… Stink Bugs tend to invade via fireplaces, so sealing is more difficult, at best. Asian Lady Beetles pinch, so they are more harmful.
Do they do any damage?
As the Image above shows, they can leave liquid splotches on photos, fabrics, books, and such.
Can I “Do It Myself” (DIY)? Does dishwashing liquid really work?
Yes… You will kill those you can reach, and it has no effect once dry. Those you miss will invade. Proper treatment utilizes a ‘residual’ pesticide that lasts for months applied to every square inch of siding, window and door frames, where siding meets the foundation, and many other unreachable areas.
