They’re right around the corner – literally and figuratively: Boxelder Bug Season. As summer turns to fall and the temperature drops, homeowners in Boise are likely to have those little red-and-black invaders in all sorts of nooks and crannies. Yep, autumn in the Boise / Treasure Valley area means box elder bugs show up en masse.
So, let’s take a look at why boxelder bugs show up, what they want, and how to keep them out.
What are Boxelder Bugs, Anyway?
Boxelder bugs are small, harmless, but persistent insects that commonly invade Boise / Treasure Valley area homes built near boxelder and maple trees.
- Appearance: Adults are brownish-black with three distinctive red stripes behind their heads and red-veined wings. They are about ½ inch long and do not bite or sting.
- Behavior: They are most active in human spaces in the fall when they search for warm, sheltered places to overwinter. They frequently enter homes through cracks and gaps in walls, windows, and doors. They are also often found sunbathing on south-facing exterior walls.
- Diet: These insects feed primarily on the seeds of female box elder trees, but also on maple and ash trees.
Why Boise Homes See Seasonal Swarms of Boxelder Bugs
- Seasonal Patterns: Boxelder bugs are quite happy outdoors in the summer, but migrate toward warm, sunlit surfaces and protected spots in the fall. Human homes provide the perfect conditions for overwintering.
Summer = Outdoor living
Fall = Indoor migration
- Ideal Climate: Boise’s dry climate and tree-lined neighborhoods are ideal for boxelder bugs. They thrive in the Boise sun and trees in the summer, so huge populations of insects seek shelter as temperatures drop.
- Popular Habitats: Siding, attics, wall voids, as well as windows and sliding doors are often favored by box elder bugs.
Are Box Elder Bugs Dangerous or Just Annoying?
- Danger: Box elder bugs are generally harmless. They do not sting or bite, and they don’t damage or eat wood, cloth, or pantry items. They do not breed indoors, either. They simply enter homes to stay warm, and they will eventually starve or dehydrate.
- Damage: However, boxelder bugs are a nuisance because they can enter homes in large numbers. Their excrement can stain draperies, furniture, and walls. Boxelder bugs can also emit an unpleasant aroma when crushed.
- Other Concerns: While very rare, some people may experience allergic reactions. And boxelder bugs can irritate pets that try to eat them. The foul taste may cause pets to drool excessively, vomit, or experience minor gastrointestinal upset, but this usually occurs only if consumed in large quantities.
How to Keep Boxelder Bugs Out of your Boise Home
While boxelder bugs are generally not a big problem for Boise homeowners, it is better to be safe than sorry.
Prevention Tips
- Seal up cracks around windows, doors, and siding. Make sure door sweeps and screens are in good repair.
- Check attic and vent screens to ensure bugs don’t have easy access to little-used areas.
- Apply exterior insect barriers in late summer before the fall swarming begins
- Remove female boxelder trees nearby if infestations persist.
- Vacuum bugs that make their way inside – don’t crush them.
- Begin prevention steps in late August or early September
- Contact a professional pest control company, like Cascade Pest Control, to develop a prevention plan that works for you.
Boxelder bugs are a reality for the Boise area, but they don’t need to be a headache for homeowners. With a few prevention tips and help from professional pest control, Boise homeowners can stop bugs before they move in.
