Boxelder bugs are a common nuisance pest in Minnesota, especially when temperatures are high. These bugs seek warmth and shelter during the winter months.
During Winter, Boxelder bugs go into diapause, a form of dormancy in insects and other arthropods. Insects enter diapause before unfavorable conditions and in response to environmental cues.
Boxelder bugs remain hidden throughout winter and emerge when temperatures allow. They remain near their hibernation spaces until the trees start to bud, and then they move out to their summer hang-outs.
The boxelder bug is a distinctive-looking bug with an unusual and remarkable design. It is black with reddish or orange lines down its back (or dorsum), making for a cool, unique design. The stripes almost look like outlines of wings, with a Transformer mask type design in the center.
These markings make the boxelder bug appear much more menacing than it is. This bug gets its name from the Boxelder tree, where it feeds and lays eggs.
The boxelder bug is not giant, but it is not tiny, either. It is about half an inch long and has six legs. Its shape is oblong, and the head is relatively flat, making it almost look like the common stink bug, except for its unique markings.
When found within a boxelder tree, the boxelder bugs look like a swarm of reddish or orange insects.
These black and red insects can invade homes and businesses in large numbers, causing frustration for property owners.
Boxelder Bugs don’t pose a direct health threat, but their staining secretions and unpleasant odor make them a significant pest issue when they are present in sheer numbers.
Many DIY remedies are available to solve this issue, but they are not guaranteed to be sustainable. Professional Pest Management, on the other hand, provides a sustainable, safe, and eco-friendly solution to the Boxelder bug problem.
We at Abra Kadabra Environmental Services offer a practical, long-term solution to boxelder bug infestations. This article will explore the lifecycle of boxelder bugs, why they become a problem, and how professional pest control can help eliminate them effectively.
How to Identify Boxelder Bugs
Boxelder bugs (Boisea Trivittata) are small insects, typically about ½ inches long. They have black bodies and red or orange markings on their wings and thorax.
As mentioned earlier, these insects primarily feed on boxelder trees, but they also feed on maple and ash trees by sucking sap from leaves, flowers, and seed pods.
They are most common around homes during late summer and early fall, when they seek shelter for overwintering. As temperatures drop, they gather on warm surfaces such as house siding, windows, and doors before entering through cracks and crevices.
During winter, they remain inactive in wall voids, attics, and other sheltered areas. As spring arrives and temperatures rise, they emerge to return outdoors and begin the reproduction cycle anew.
How Boxelder Bugs Can Cause Problems
Boxelder bugs are among the least harmful insects in your home, though they can still cause unfortunate incidents. Even seemingly minor occurrences can lead to significant damage to your home.
Indoor Infestations
When boxelder bugs enter homes, they become a significant nuisance. While they do not bite or transmit diseases, their presence can be overwhelming when they gather in large numbers. They accumulate in window sills, along ceilings, and in wall voids, leading to unsightly infestations.
Staining and Odor Issues
Boxelder bugs release a defensive secretion that can stain walls, curtains, furniture, and clothing when disturbed. Their excrement also leaves reddish-brown stains on surfaces. When crushed, they emit a strong, unpleasant odor that can linger in the home.
Structural Entry Points
Homes and businesses with cracks in siding, poorly sealed windows, or gaps around doors are particularly vulnerable to boxelder bug invasions. Without proper exclusion techniques, these pests will continue to find ways inside year after year.
How Professional Pest Management by Abra Kadabra Can Solve Your Boxelder Bug Problem
Abra Kadabra is a member of the National Pest Management Association. Technicians are certified by the National Wildlife Control Operator’s Association and licensed by the Minnesota Pest Management Association.
Technicians continue to update their knowledge by earning continuing education credits each year, learning the most up-to-date information, statistics, methods, and industry trends.
With our credentials and our trusted and licensed pest and wildlife technicians, your Boxelder bug issue will be over in no time.
There may be a constant flow of new boxelder bugs, and we do not entirely or permanently eliminate them from an area. That’s why we perform a regular ongoing service, to keep them to a minimum.
Thorough Inspection
We provide professional pest control services, beginning with a comprehensive home inspection. Our technicians identify key entry points, assess the extent of the infestation, and determine the best action for effective elimination and prevention.
Crack and Crevice Sealing
Sealing entry points is a crucial step in long-term boxelder bug control. Professional pest management services focus on sealing cracks, gaps, and crevices where these insects enter.
This may include caulking around windows and doors, sealing gaps in siding, and ensuring vents and chimneys are appropriately screened.
Our pest technicians recommend this. However, this service isn’t available now, and the homeowners can do this themselves with our guidance.
Indoor Treatments
If boxelder bugs have already entered a home or business, pest management professionals can safely use targeted treatments to remove them.
Vacuuming is often an effective method for eliminating clusters of boxelder bugs indoors without crushing them, which prevents odor issues.
Additionally, pest control experts may determine whether or not a treatment is necessary to eliminate lingering bugs.
Preventative Measures
A key advantage of professional pest control services is their ability to implement long-term prevention strategies.
Abra Kadabra Environmental Services eliminates existing infestations and guides landscaping modifications, exclusion techniques, and ongoing maintenance to reduce the likelihood of future problems.
Recommendations may include removing boxelder trees near the property, installing weather stripping, and maintaining a well-sealed structure.
Eco-Friendly Solutions
Many professional pest control companies, including ours, prioritize environmentally responsible treatments.
Targeted applications, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies, and eco-friendly products ensure that boxelder bugs are controlled without unnecessary harm to beneficial insects or the surrounding environment.
How a Focused Pest Control Package Can Help
Abra Kadabra Environmental Services has extensive experience managing boxelder bug infestations in Minnesota.
Our team of highly trained professionals understands the specific challenges homeowners and businesses face with these pests and provides customized solutions to ensure effective and lasting results.
With a commitment to customer satisfaction, eco-friendly practices, and proven pest control techniques, we are known as Minnesota’s trusted service provider for pest management.
Wrapping It Up
Now that spring is coming, Boxelder bugs will start to come out to reproduce. And before they multiply in numbers and swarm during the summer and fall seasons, you can take a step in advance to prevent a bigger problem.
By subscribing to a pest control package suited to your needs and specifically for Boxelder bugs, you can have year-round protection from these insects.
If you already have a boxelder problem in your home, there are several things you can do to relieve it temporarily. We recommend using a vacuum cleaner to remove the bugs, as killing them will leave a stain and an undesirable odor that may attract other insect species.
For permanent relief, contact our licensed pest professionals at Abra Kadabra. We offer single nest removal and preventive packages and are committed to protecting homes from pests.
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