Boxelder bugs are more than just unwelcome guests. Their swarming presence can transform a peaceful autumn day into a chaotic battle against an army of red and black invaders.

Driven by their instinct to seek warmth as winter approaches, boxelder bugs will readily exploit any cracks or crevices in your home’s exterior. Though they pose no health risk and typically don’t cause property damage, their sheer numbers can be a nuisance, and they can leave behind foul odors and stains when crushed. In this article, we’ll explore how to get rid of boxelder bugs and prevent their return. We’ll also recommend the best pest control professionals to call if DIY methods prove inadequate.

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What Are Boxelder Bugs?

Boxelder bugs belong to the same family as stink bugs and cicadas. Like their closest relatives, they have piercing and sucking mouthparts, which they use to feed on plants—primarily the flowers, leaves, twigs, and seeds of boxelder trees. Certain species of maple trees and ash trees may also be targets.

Once you know what boxelder bugs look like, they’re not difficult to distinguish from other bugs. Nymphs appear bright red when they first hatch. As they grow, their black wings begin to cover their abdomens. Adult boxelder bugs are about half an inch long with a sleek black body and three orange or red stripes fanning out behind their head. You’ll see the same color along the edges of their wings, which fold flat and overlap to form an X on their backs.

Both nymphs and adults have a fondness for feasting on boxelder trees. Though this can damage the tree’s leaves and flowers, the bug’s tendency to seek winter shelter within human homes is also troubling. However, you don’t have to worry about them chewing through walls or carpets, biting family members, or reproducing indoors, as their only goal is to find warmth.

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DIY Boxelder Bug Removal

Do-it-yourself (DIY) options for removing boxelder bugs are similar to those for removing stink bugs. Your first line of defense is a well-sealed home, followed by your vacuum cleaner.

Vacuuming

The simplest way to eliminate boxelder bugs is to vacuum them up. For small clusters, a regular vacuum will work—preferably one with a disposable vacuum bag. For a larger invasion, we recommend using a shop vac. Dispose of bags promptly and empty canisters frequently so the odor of dead boxelder bugs doesn’t linger. Relocate the bugs outdoors or throw them away in sealed bags. Repeat this process as needed.

Hot Water

If you’re dealing with a concentrated cluster of boxelder bugs, a stream of hot, soapy water might be enough to eliminate them. Focus the spray directly on the cluster, but stand back far enough to avoid splashing yourself. Be mindful of electrical outlets, electronics, and surfaces susceptible to water damage. This solution isn’t ideal for treating large or hidden areas.

Insecticidal Soap

Although a mixture of regular dish soap and water can be effective against many bugs, insecticidal soap is a safer bet. Mix a solution of 1%–2% insecticidal soap in a spray bottle or backpack sprayer and apply it directly onto the boxelder bugs that congregate on or near your home. While this solution kills on contact, it doesn’t provide much ongoing protection. You must reapply the soap every one to two days as new bugs arrive.

Insecticide Sprays

In most cases, using insecticides against boxelder bugs is overkill. When you use insecticides, it may harm beneficial insects, the local ecosystem, and your family. We don’t recommend using insecticides to target boxelder bugs that have already made their way inside. Exclusion methods like vacuuming are the best ways to treat an indoor infestation.

Insecticidal sprays should only be used outdoors. Look for products at your local home improvement store labeled for building exteriors with active ingredients like cypermethrin and permethrin. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and wear safety gear, such as a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, close-toed shoes, and chemical-resistant gloves. You can apply a light coat to your home’s siding and eaves where boxelder bugs tend to cluster.

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Professional Boxelder Bug Removal Services

If you’re facing a large boxelder bug invasion and feel ill-equipped to battle it yourself, consider hiring a professional exterminator. Experienced pest control companies can help you address the current infestation and prevent future incursions with insect growth regulators and perimeter treatments. They can locate and seal cracks and crevices boxelder bugs may be using to get inside.

The cost of pest control varies depending on the severity of the problem and the specific treatments used. However, most companies offer affordable plans that include regular broad-spectrum preventive treatments and prompt service for any issues.

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Boxelder Bug Life Cycle

Boxelder bugs have a year-long life cycle with distinct stages that align with the seasons.

Spring and Summer

Boxelder bugs emerge from their winter slumber as the ground thaws. Adults return to their leafy havens, where they feed, mate, and remain active during warmer months. Mated females lay eggs in orange clusters in the crevices of tree bark. The eggs hatch into nymphs that spend their days gorging on the same foliage as their parents.

Late Summer and Fall

Boxelder nymphs molt and grow into adults by fall. Depending on the weather, one or two generations may emerge each summer. Adult boxelder bugs begin looking for a winter sanctuary as the nights get colder. If they can make their way into the cozy crevices of a heated house, they will. Otherwise, they’ll reside beneath fallen leaves, in rock piles, and under other sheltered places.

Winter and Early Spring

Boxelder bugs hunker down to hibernate once the weather turns cold. They remain mostly inactive during winter, though you may see them emerge briefly on sunny days. As spring approaches, the surviving boxelder bugs return to the open in search of food. Those that overwintered inside your home will often vacate the premises if they can.

Remember that boxelder bugs pose no health threat and will eventually head back outside. Understanding their seasonal life cycle can help you anticipate their movements and prevent unwanted incursions.

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Why Boxelder Bugs Invade Homes

Compared to many of the bugs that invade your home, boxelder bugs are a minor nuisance. All they want is a warm place to overwinter. They won’t bite or damage your property, though they may cause unpleasant stains and smells if crushed, much like stink bugs. They don’t carry disease, bite humans, or reproduce indoors like gnats and cockroaches. They’ll leave voluntarily when the weather gets warmer.

Still, boxelder bugs can congregate in large numbers, which can be frustrating. During late summer and fall, they may gather on sunny surfaces and look for ways into your home. South- or west-facing walls with full sun exposure are particularly attractive. The presence of boxelder, maple, or ash trees nearby is another risk factor.

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Preventing Boxelder Bugs

As with most overwintering pests, keeping boxelder bugs out is much easier than getting rid of them. Consider removing female boxelder trees (the seed-bearing kind) on your property and keeping the ground clear of seed pods.

While clearing away female boxelder trees is helpful, it may not be enough to prevent boxelder bug infestations entirely. Boxelder bugs also feed on other maple and ash trees, which are often abundant in residential areas. They’re also strong enough flyers to reach your home from trees a mile or two away.

Here are some other ways to keep boxelder bugs at bay.

• Keep your yard tidy, especially in the fall. Trim back overgrown plants, rake fallen leaves away from your home, and remove any other debris, particularly around entryways.
• Boxelder bugs will exploit cracks and gaps in your home’s exterior to access your attic, wall voids, and other sheltered crevices as the weather cools. Seal cracks with caulk, install door sweeps, apply weatherstripping to doorframes and windowsills, and repair or replace torn window screens.
• If you wish, apply targeted pesticides around your home’s perimeter and potential entry points to deter boxelder bugs and other insects.

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Our Conclusion

Though boxelder bugs pose no health or safety risk, they can still be a nuisance. The most effective defense against these pests is prevention. Minimizing food sources and shelter—particularly the female boxelder trees for which they’re named—will make your property less appealing. You should also seal any exterior cracks or gaps that might give them access to your home.

Should any boxelder bugs manage to breach your defenses, simply vacuum them up and dispose of them. Fight clusters with carefully-applied hot water or an insecticidal soap solution. Alternatively, you can call a professional pest control company to offer tailored treatment plans and preventive services to keep your home bug-free.

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FAQ About Getting Rid of Boxelder Bugs

What causes boxelder bugs to swarm homes?

Boxelder bugs swarm homes in the fall to find shelter for winter. As temperatures drop, they seek warm, protected spaces, such as wall voids and piles of debris. They often migrate to the sunny sides of buildings in search of warmth.

How do you make homemade boxelder bug spray?

You can make homemade boxelder bug spray from soapy water, diluted insecticidal soap, or a mixture of vinegar and water. If you use insecticidal soap, follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.

What shouldn’t you do when removing boxelder bugs?

When removing boxelder bugs, don’t crush them. Doing so may cause unsightly stains and an unpleasant odor. Instead, vacuum them up, empty the canister outside, or dispose of them in a sealed bag.

How long will boxelder bugs stay inside a house?

Boxelder bugs will typically only stay inside a house during winter. Once the weather warms, survivors will head back outside to feed and reproduce.

Why are there more boxelder bugs some years?

There are more boxelder bugs some years due to weather conditions. You can expect to see more boxelder bugs during hot, dry summers.

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