Control a Box Elder Bug Infestation
Updated: Sep. 09, 2022
The box elder bug is not harmful to plants or people. But they are annoying when they invade homes in fall. Learn how to get rid of them.
How to Get Rid of Box Elder Bugs
“Help! We have box elder bugs everywhere! Is there anything we can do to get rid of them?” asks Birds & Blooms reader Pamela Naylor of Brockway, Michigan.
Garden expert Melinda Myers writes, “A box elder bug is not harmful to plants or people. But they sure are annoying. The immature bugs feed on ground-level vegetation. The adults move to box elder trees, a type of maple, and can sometimes be found on other maples as well. Their feeding doesn’t harm the trees.”
Melinda continues, “The problem occurs when the adults seek a warm sunny spot, usually the side of your house, to warm themselves in fall. As temperatures cool they often find their way indoors through cracks and crevices. So repair and fill any crevices to keep these insects out of the house. Manage infestations by vacuuming as they congregate, or spray the side of your house with soapy water. Avoid using pesticides or insecticides whenever possible to reduce the risk to pollinators and beneficial insects.”
The Family Handyman says late summer and fall are the best times to control box elder bugs around your home. Seal all possible bug entry points with caulk or spray foam. Install door sweeps on exterior entry doors and add a rubber seal along the bottom of garage doors. Also replace any damaged window and door screens as well as those around your roof and soffit vents.
Learn how to get rid of stink bugs.
Backyard Tip
If you’re going to spray any solution on your house, even soapy water, make sure it won’t affect the color of your siding by testing on a small area.
Next, learn how to tell the difference between ladybugs vs Asian beetles.
Originally Published: September 09, 2022
