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 Boxelder
Bugs
A number of insects have discovered that heated buildings are ideal
for surviving the cold of winter. Such pests include box elder bugs,
cluster flies, and lady beetles. As the weather cools in late summer
and early fall, the sun warms the southern and western walls of
buildings. The warmth attracts these insects to buildings where they
crawl inside cracks and stay there for the winter. This would be
fine, but during warm winter days, some insects "wake up" and end up
on the inside of the building.
Size
Up to 1/2-inch long.
Color
Ranges from gray to black with red criss-crossing stripes on the
wings. Nymphs have bright red abdomens. These rather brightly
colored insects offer no more harm than just being a nuisance.
Habitat
Boxelder bugs feed on maple and boxelder trees and usually
infest buildings where these types of trees are nearby. While found
throughout the Midwest, this species can also be found in attempts
to over winter in your own home.
Tips for Control
The best way to control such pests is by prevention as described
below. If it's too late and they are already inside, it takes a
professional to find and treat the right areas to minimize the
numbers of pests seen inside.
If your home has experienced a problem with over wintering pests,
take the following steps next summer to prevent a recurrence:
- Seal as many cracks and holes on the outside of the home as
possible, especially on the south and west walls where the sun
heats the home during the late summer and fall.
- Be sure that all foundation and attic vents have
tight-fitting screens.
- Check the soffit vents and any gable vents or turbine vents
on the roof.
- Have your Springer Pest Solutions professional treat the
outside walls of the home near the eaves. This treatment should
be completed in mid- to late August.
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