If you spot a red and black insect, it could be a boxelder bug. Like the name indicates, boxelder bugs thrive primarily on boxelder trees in warm weather, and you will commonly notice them from late fall to early spring. As the temperatures drop, boxelder bugs look for sunny areas of buildings and squeeze through cracks.
Though boxelder bugs don't cause humans physical harm, they can stain surfaces with fecal waste. Here are some tips for repelling boxelder bugs from your home.
Make A Faux Light Shade Trap
Since boxelder bugs are attracted to light shades, create a homemade trap out of plywood or cardboard painted yellow or white. Apply petroleum jelly or attach double-sided tape on one side of the shade and place the trap near an entry point like a wall crack. If they find the trap, they will not be able to escape. Light traps also work well since the boxelder bugs like lights.
Sprinkle Diatomaceous Earth And Borax Around The House
Borax and diatomaceous earth combat box elder bugs by damaging the boxelder bug's protective coating, which dehydrates them. Diatomaceous earth is a strong sedimentary substance created from the remnants, or diatoms, of sea algae sold by many hardware stores. You may be already familiar with borax as a green cleaning substance.
Sprinkle borax or diatomaceous earth around baseboards, outer siding, cupboards, floorboards, or anywhere you suspect clusters of boxelder bugs. Though diatomaceous earth is a natural substance, wear protective clothing to avoid allergic reactions. Also, sprinkle the substance around boxelder trees and exterior siding.
Reduce Food Sources And Entrances
The best defense against boxelder bugs is to reduce the food sources and entrance points. Boxelder trees and silver maple trees provide food sources for boxelder bugs, so removing these kinds of trees will help. Boxelder bugs prefer female boxelder trees, which produce seeds that whirl like a helicopter as they fall to the ground.
If you do not want to remove trees from your yard, rake seeds and maple leaves that fall to the ground to reduce food sources. Seal cracks in siding, windows, and the foundation of your home, and repair all broken screens. While fixing screens and sealing holes won't entirely eliminate the problem, it greatly reduces the boxelder bug population.
You should be able to reduce the population of boxelder bugs in and around the home with these solutions. If they don't work, contact a pest control company to exterminate them.
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