Boxelder bugs are a familiar sight in the Midwest, especially as the weather begins to cool down. Even though they’re fairly common during the overwintering months, people don’t fully understand them and often believe the misconceptions floating around about them. We’re here to clear it up. Here are things people get wrong about boxelder bugs:
1. They’re Harmless, So Ignore Them.
It’s true that boxelder bugs don’t bite or spread disease, so for all intents and purposes, they’re technically harmless. However, that doesn’t mean they’re not a nuisance. They invade in alarmingly large numbers and leave behind bright reddish-orange stains on walls, curtains and upholstery. If you have a boxelder bug infestation, the answer isn’t to ignore them just because they don’t pose risks to your health.
2. They Only Show Up in Fall
There’s usually a huge surge of boxelder bugs in fall, but that’s not the only time they can cause a problem for homeowners. Boxelder bugs are an overwintering pest, which means they look for warm, sheltered areas to stick out the winter. During winter, they’re dormant, but they can still be found hanging out on sunny walls and inside people’s homes. They can also be noticed in spring as they emerge from their winter hideouts and start feeding and laying eggs.
3. Squishing Them Solves the Problem.
Killing the boxelder bugs you see may feel like a productive solution, but this isn’t usually the case. It may get rid of the visible insects, but it doesn’t address how they got there in the first place or help control the larger infestation. Squishing them is a particularly bad choice because they release a foul odor and those bright reddish-orange stains, which are notoriously hard to get out.
4. They’re an Outdoor Pest
Many homeowners assume that boxelder bugs stay outside and are strictly an outdoor pest, especially because they’re named after the boxelder tree, which is their primary habitat and food source. This isn’t the case. Once temperatures drop, they can slip into cracks and gaps of your home, often ending up in walls, attics or window sills.
5. They Cause Damage to Plants
Unlike many other pests, boxelder bugs aren’t a threat to plants or the boxelder trees they’re named after. They feed on the sap, leaves and seeds of boxelder trees and live on or near them. The damage they cause is minor (if they cause any damage at all), typically cosmetic rather than something that puts the tree at risk.
Boxelder bugs aren’t harmful, and they don’t pose threats to your family, pets or yard, but they are indeed a nuisance. Having a huge cluster inside, outside or around the home is more than most homeowners want to deal with. If you’ve noticed an invasion of boxelder bugs, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Des Moines pest treatment pros at Pro-Staff, five-time winner of CITYVIEW’s Best Pest Control Company in Des Moines award, today by calling (515) 279-7378 or contacting us online for a free inspection.
