Boxelder Bugs: Nature’s Cold-Weather Intruders

As the weather begins to cool, you may notice the sudden congregation of small, reddish-brown winged insects with bright markings. These insects are commonly known as boxelder bugs, and they are a seasonal nuisance for many homeowners, especially when they get indoors. Here you’ll learn how to identify boxelder bugs and better understand their behaviors. Understanding any pest is the first step to controlling and managing a potential infestation!

What Do Boxelder Bugs Look Like?

Adult boxelder bugs have six legs, wings, and reddish-brown bodies that typically measure about half an inch long. They are known for the distinct red-orange and black markings on their back, including three stripes running lengthwise down their wings. They have an elongated oval shape and a somewhat flattened body, along with long antennae.

While adult boxelder bugs have wings, they are not strong fliers. Because their flight is generally short and erratic, they rely on gathering in confined spaces to avoid predators.

In early life stages, boxelder bugs are a solid red-orange color and more of a pear shape. They develop their darker colors and wings later, toward the end of their nymph stages.

Where Do Boxelder Bugs Live Inside a House?

During cold months, boxelder bugs often seek shelter inside houses and structures to escape the frigid weather. When they enter a house, they tend to stick together in specific areas that provide them with warmth and protection. You may find boxelder bugs in these areas indoors:

• Sunny windowsills – Boxelder bugs are attracted to warmth and sunlight. They may gather on windowsills, especially on the sunny side of the house.
• Walls – These bugs often crawl up walls and may be found in clusters near windows, doors, or other entry points.
• Attics – Boxelder bugs may find their way into attics through vents, openings, or gaps. They can stay relatively dormant in these spaces during colder months.
• Crawl spaces – Similar to attics, crawl spaces under a house provide shelter and warmth, making them attractive to overwintering boxelder bugs.
• Basements – If boxelder bugs find openings or cracks leading into the basement, they may venture down there where they are sheltered and hidden from people.

So, how do boxelder bugs get in the house? They can enter through any gaps in seals, screens, vents, the foundation, or other structural elements. Boxelder bugs tend to pile up on top of each other on perches outside the house, and they push each other into crevices, which may lead to their entry.

Boxelder bugs can stay congregated in small spaces for months because they go into a state of hibernation during the winter and do not need to eat. Therefore, the presence of the food they rely on in the warmer months dictates areas where the bug is most likely to be found when it’s cold.

What Do Boxelder Bugs Eat?

When they aren’t overwintering, boxelder bugs primarily feed on the sap of boxelder trees, hence their name. However, they are not limited to boxelder trees; they feed on other maple species and sometimes even ash and fruit trees. If these trees are present in your yard, you’re more susceptible to an infestation in the fall and winter.

Are Boxelder Bugs Dangerous?

While boxelder bugs are not directly harmful to people, they can be a nuisance. Boxelder bugs can damage the inside of your home, as their excretions create noticeable red stains on walls, curtains, and other surfaces. Additionally, squishing a boxelder bug leaves behind a distinct color.

What Gets Rid of Boxelder Bugs Indoors?

Our experts at Mosquito Squad recommend removing them with a vacuum or picking them up with a paper towel to dispose of them. If you can find a way to catch and release, feel free to do so, but keep in mind the pests may find their way into your wood piles, sheds, etc. Learn more about how to prevent and manage a boxelder bug infestation with various techniques.

If the walls in your home are stained by boxelder bugs, contact Color World Painting for interior home painting services.

Buck the Bugs

The best way to control boxelder bugs is to start outdoors before the season turns too cold and they turn toward your house. Mosquito Squad offers reliable boxelder bug control services to control populations outside your home and lower the chances of the pest making its way inside. Our team of professionals understands the pests’ behaviors and habitats, and we have the equipment and skills to eradicate bugs on contact and control them for up to 21 days with just one treatment. To get started, contact the Squad today at 877-332-2239 or request a free quote online.