Box Elder Bugs

The Box Elder Bug is a pest that likes to invade our homes in the spring and early fall. The spring time is when they come out after their winter hibernation and their ready to forage for food and get warmth from the sun on your home. During the summer season they will go out into the forest as much as two miles from your home to feed and mate. Some homes will have such a severe infestation that they will have activity on their homes the entire summer. The reason for their presence in the fall is so they can start to locate an area in or around your home to winter over as it will be to cold for them out in the trees. The areas they are looking for are behind the gutters, in the attic, any crack or gaps in your siding and the wall voids. The only good thing about Box Elder Bugs is that they won’t harm your home; they are only a nuisance pest. Yet they’re still very troublesome to have on your home when they come by the thousands and start to get into your home.

The Box Elder Bug will vary in color especially in the amount of red or orange you see on the top of the wings. Some will only have coloring on the underside of their wings when they fly. The color of the body can also vary from a light brown to a black. The easiest way to identify them is when you see clusters of bugs in your siding. They will come in more than one size as they grow. First there is a bright red egg then from there you will get a couple of nymph stages and then on to the adult. Below are some pictures of the different stages you may come across around in your yard and home.

The best way to treat for Box Elders is to spray them while they’re on the exterior of your home. Next we can treat the attic as this is a very common area for Box Elders to winter over. Lastly we spray around the perimeter of your home as they will forage on bark dust and around your plants. Box Elders unfortunately can forage a great distance, so their return is very likely. When we exterminate for Box Elders please be aware it will take more than one treatment to limit the activity you’re getting on the exterior or interior of your home. Usually a couple treatments in the spring and fall will greatly reduce the activity in your area.

Our Box Elder Bug services come with a one year guarantee and will include a semi annual service. During the coverage year if you notice more Box Elder Bug activity then all you have to do is call and those services are included as well. The only requirement is that after an application, you give the product 3-4 weeks to take affect.