Boxelder Bugs In Virginia

What do boxelder bugs look like?

Boxelder bugs have a unique appearance which makes them fairly easy to identify. They have an elongated oval-shaped body that is black. Their wings and thorax are outlined in an orange-red color. An adult boxelder bug grows to about 1/2 of an inch in length. Nymphs (young boxelder bugs) are smaller than adults, lack wings, and are bright red.

Are boxelder bugs dangerous?

Boxelder bugs are not considered dangerous pests. These insects spend most of their lives outside and away from people. Boxelder bugs are not known to bite. However, if you are handling them, their piercing mouthparts can puncture a person’s skin and create a slight skin irritation.

Will boxelder bugs damage my house and property?

During the warm-weather seasons, boxelder bugs are found outside in large numbers. As their name suggests, they infest and feed on the leaves, flowers, and seedpods of seed-bearing boxelder trees. They will also feed on maple, ash, and cherry trees. Except in the case of an extensive infestation, their feeding habits rarely cause significant damage to the trees they are feeding on.

Boxelder bugs that find their way into homes have the potential to stain walls, furniture, curtains, and other surfaces with their excrement. In addition, when crushed, they can leave behind an unpleasant odor inside a home.

Why do I have a boxelder bug problem?

Boxelder bugs will congregate on the warm sunny sides of homes and other buildings when the weather becomes cooler in the late fall. As they move up exterior walls, they can find their way inside through cracks and crevices. Once inside, they can move throughout your home, hiding together in quiet out-of-the-way places like attics, wall voids, crawl spaces, and underneath floors. In the spring, when the weather warms, boxelder bugs will emerge from their overwintering spots and travel back outside to feed and breed.

How do I get rid of boxelder bugs?

To completely take care of a boxelder bug infestation, contact the pest control professionals at All Pest Control & Solutions. Serving Salem and the New River Valley areas, our professionals inspect properties, develop a plan of action, and then implement! The end result, 100% satisfaction guaranteed boxelder bug control for your property!

Does All Pest Control have boxelder bug prevention tips?

Preventing boxelder bugs from getting into your home can be difficult, but there are a few things you can do to help deter these household invading pests.

• Cut back trees, especially boxelder trees, from the exterior of your home.

• Seal entry points in the foundation, exterior walls, and roofline of your home.

• Fill in the spaces around wires, pipes, and utilities entering your home.

• Put mesh covers over vents leading into your home.

• Place tight-fitting caps on all chimneys.

• Put weather stripping around all exterior windows and doors.

Helpful Boxelder Bug Articles

 What Every Roanoke Homeowner Ought To Know About Boxelder Bugs