Box Elder Bugs - Draft
What are Box Elder Bugs?
Box Elder Bugs (Boisea trivittata) are common pests – sometimes called “Garage Beetles” or “Maple Bugs” – that can be found throughout New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and much of the United States. Adult Box Elder bugs can grow to a length of about ½ an inch long and are a dark brown or black color, with red rims to their wings and narrow red markings on the body. Juvenile Box Elder Bugs however are bright red with no markings. They get their name from their primary food source, the Box Elder tree, but are sometimes found on other plants and trees such as Maple and Ash. If the population of Box Elder Bugs is significant enough they can do damage to trees by sucking the juices from the leaves, flowers and new shoots but usually the damage they cause to plants and trees is minimal.
Why do I have Box Elder Bugs?
If you have Box Elder, Maple or Ash trees then it is these that will attract the Box Elder Bug as they are its primary source of food. During the spring and summer they are not likely to be considered a pest but it is once the weather begins to cool that they will begin to look for shelter and a place to hibernate for the winter. Typically, any place that provides shelter and a Southerly or Westerly exposure will attract Box Elder Bugs. Houses and buildings provide excellent shelter and box elder bugs will seek out cracks and crevices in walls, behind siding, around windows and doors and around building foundations.
Are they dangerous?
Box Elder Bugs are generally thought of to be more of a nuisance than a danger although their mouth parts, which are used for piercing and sucking juices from trees, can pierce human skin and will cause minor irritation. When Box Elder Bugs gather to hibernate they can do so in the hundreds which is the point at which they are likely to become an inconvenience to the building owner. Even in the depths of winter it is still possible for Box Elder Bugs to emerge if the sun is shining.
How do I get rid of Box Elder Bugs?
Once Box Elder Bugs have established themselves in a building it can be difficult to remove them all and because of their hibernating state they are not active and often not visible so pesticides are not effective. Calling Assured Environments is your one-stop solution to all your Box Elder Bug problems and our trained pest control professionals will ensure a fast, safe resolution.
Can I do it myself?
When Box Elder bugs are hibernating it can be very difficult to remove them as they may well not be visible if they are located in cracks in buildings or behind siding. For that reason, pesticides may not be effective either, but if used they should always be applied with extreme caution as they may prove to be harmful to humans or pets.
How soon can you get here?
Assured Environments are committed to being there when you need us most. For that reason we will aim to be with you the same or very next day.
Is treatment safe?
Every pest control product used by Assured Environments has been checked and passed for pest control use by the EPA. Only then do we use it, and apply it adhering to strict guidelines to ensure the safety and well-being of humans and pets.
How can I prevent this in the future?
Preventing Box Elder Bugs from getting into buildings can be a difficult task. Steps can be taken to minimize the risk by making sure all cracks and gaps in and around walls, doors, windows and eaves are sealed.