How To Get Rid Of & Kill Boxelder Bugs | Naturally, Traps & Sprays
You can get rid of boxelder bugs with a number of lethal and non-lethal methods, including:
- Get rid of boxelder bugs using specially designed traps. These traps can be either lethal or non-lethal. Boxelder traps are effective for once the bug has already entered your home.
- You can prevent boxelder bugs with certain sprays and pesticides. Using sprays along the perimeter of your home can prevent them from ever coming in.
- You can also use spread poison dust in your home to kill boxelder bugs. As the bugs travel through the dust it will stick to their bodies, eventually killing them.
The boxelder bug gets its name from its selected habitat and preferred foliage. As you may have guessed, boxelder bugs are generally found on or around boxelder trees. Boxelder bugs are distinguished by their black bodies with vibrant red stripes. These bugs are generally around a half an inch long. The red stripes form the shape of an upside down V when their wings are laying flat. Boxelder bugs are generally located in the western United States and Canada. Boxelder bugs generally prefer to live their life outside and don't cause much of an issue with humans. However, during the winter months these bugs will seek shelter from the elements. This means that they will sometimes wander their way into your home, which is when problems can start to occur.
What Attracts Boxelder Bugs
As stated previously, boxelder bugs are generally found around boxelder trees. This is because female boxelder bugs lay their eggs on the leaves, branches and trunk of the tree. When the eggs hatch the larvae will feed on nutrients from the tree until they are large enough to fly. When boxelder bugs start to become a pest issue is during the cold winter months when boxelder bugs look for a warm place to find shelter. This is generally when you will start to notice boxelder bugs finding their way into your house. Certain homes are more attractive to boxelder bugs. Any home with large windows facing the south or east will generally generate more heat; this will attract boxelder bugs searching for a warm place to winter. Lone standing buildings are also attractive to boxelder bugs, especially if they are larger than any of the surround structure. Given this fact you will generally find boxelder bugs located near windows in sunny areas.
Are Boxelder Bugs Harmful To Humans or Animals
Although no one likes having pest crawl all over their home, boxelder bugs are essentially harmless to both humans and property. You don't have to worry about them biting or eating wood, siding, insulation or other building material. The one issue that may become apparent, especially if boxelder bugs infest a home in large numbers, is staining of property through their excrement.How To Prevent A Boxelder Bug Infestation
All homeowners can take preventive measure to ensure boxelder bugs stay outside instead of finding their way into your home. The first and most vital step is to ensure all entrances, cracks and crevices into your house are secure. This includes sealing areas of entry including window screens, where utility lines and pipes enter your house and ensuring your doors close tightly and securely. However, it is not always possible to prevent boxelder bugs from entering your home. If this is the case you will have to take other preventive measures including the use of pesticides and getting rid of foliage that may attract them. You can do your own boxelder pest control using pesticides that say they are safe to use on the exterior of your house (if you plan on protecting the perimeter) or using sprays that are safe indoors if you want to protect the inside of your house. The best time to spray is during the fall when the boxelder bugs start to clump together in large numbers. At this time, you can effectively get rid of a large amount of boxelder bugs.1. Get Rid Of Boxelder Bugs With Perimeter Treatment
The best time to spray is during the fall when the boxelder bugs start to clump together in large numbers. At this time, you can effectively get rid of a large amount of boxelder bugs. You will want to use boxelder spray around all potential openings to your house including attic vents, cellars, siding and other potential entrances. When looking for a spray look for the ingredient "pyrethrin." Pyrethrin is one of the most effective chemicals in controlling boxelders. However, be safe not to spray on plants or your yard as it could potentially damage them.2. Get Rid Of Boxelders With A Professional Service: Exterminate Them
One of the most effective ways to deal with any sort of pest infestation is to call an extermination company. However, this will also be one of the more expensive options when trying to kill boxelder bugs. A boxelder exterminator can either end an infestation or prevent one by spraying to outside of your home.3. Get Rid Of Boxelder Bugs With Organic Sprays
Organic sprays are a great, safe way to deal with a boxelder bug infestation and when used properly can be just as effective as chemical sprays. There are a couple of organic sprays you can create that have been shown to eliminate boxelder bugs.
- Soap and Water - Add 2 Tbsp of dish soap to a standard-size spray bottle filled with hot water. Once the mixture is properly blended spray the solution on any boxelder bugs you see. It is believed that the soap in the mixture breaks down the bug's cell membranes causing the bug to lose water and become dehydrated.
- Diatomaceous Earth - Diatomaceous earth has properties that will kill boxelder bugs as well as other insects that come into contact with it. When handling it it is important to follow directions as labeled to prevent injury.