Box Elder Bug Control
Box elder bugs are generally black and red and have been identified in most all of the lower 48 States of America. Although other insects look like them including the milkweed bug, none are likely to congregate in huge numbers like box elder bugs. Members of this insect family feed on woody plants and herbs. The box elder bug got it's name because it was found to infest box elder trees. These trees were planted in the west as settlers wanted quick growing shade trees. The availability of the vast numbers of box elder trees allowed the box elder bug to flourish. It now infests many other species of trees including maples, apple and almond. It seems to like several types of dead insects and fruit as well.
Box elder bugs become a problem when they move into your yard or home. Once they begin to infest a tree, their population will grow from year to year. You will notice them congregating in massive numbers on the bark, limbs and the immediate ground around the tree. This congregation will occur in the spring and then again in the fall. In the spring, the boxelder emerges from its winter hibernation looking for a tree or plant that will supply food for the season. Young hatch in early summer and grow like roaches; they develop by instars. This means they go through several stages which resemble adults but will be smaller in size. As they molt and begin a new instar, they will become more and more like their reproducing parents. In the fall, they will seek the south or warm side of the tree or plant they have been feeding on throughout the summer. As it cools more, box elder bugs will take up residence in nearby homes and structures. Since they over winter and do not die from year to year, a population can reach huge numbers. This colony will readily infest the same area from year to year once a successful winter shelter has been found. Eventually some will migrate insidet the home. Besides doing damage to leaves, fruit and trees around the home, if they are allowed to infest your house they will become a never ending nuisance. Expect to have them climbing walls, clinging to curtains and buzzing around lights and ceilings throughout the winter. Since your home is heated, they don't need to "sleep" through the cold. Instead, they will forage around inside causing discomfort and being a nuisance until the spring. Here is a short video of one inside a home. This boxelder was filmed in the middle of winter but because it's warm inside, they'll stay active. This video shows one walking around inside a home.
If you've got a box elder bug infestation and need to do some pest control, our BOX ELDER BUG CONTROL article will provide all the details you'll need to learn what's needed and how to best apply these products.
