Are you seeing swarms of small black and red insects clinging to the sunny side of your house every fall? If you live in Southern Ontario, you’re likely dealing with the common nuisance known as the box elder bug.
While these pests are harmless, their sheer numbers and tendency to sneak inside to overwinter can be frustrating. Here’s a simple, three-step strategy to take control of a box elder bug problem.
1. Seal Every Entry Point (The Best Defense)
The ultimate goal is to keep these bugs outside. Box elder bugs are flat and can squeeze through the tiniest cracks. Focus your efforts on exclusion:
- Caulk and Seal: Use a quality caulk to seal cracks around window frames, door frames, siding, and the foundation.
- Check Vents and Screens: Ensure all window screens are fully intact with no tears. Put fine mesh screening over attic and soffit vents.
- Install Weather Stripping: Replace worn-out weather stripping under doors and around window casings.
2. Immediate Removal (The Clean Method)
When you see large clusters on the exterior of your home, or if a few have already made it inside, here’s how to remove them safely:
- The Soapy Water Spray: For large outdoor clusters, mix a solution of one to two tablespoons of liquid dish soap per litre of water in a spray bottle or garden sprayer. Saturate the bugs directly. The soap breaks down their protective outer coating, dehydrating them.
- The Vacuum Method: For bugs found indoors, use a vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment. Crucially, use a bagged vacuum and dispose of the sealed bag immediately outside. Never crush them—they release an unpleasant odour and can leave a permanent orange-red stain.
- Wash Away Pheromones: After removing large clusters from a wall, wash the area with soapy water. The bugs leave behind a scent trail (pheromones) that attracts more of their kind. Cleaning the area helps break this cycle.
3. Reduce Outdoor Attractants
Box elder bugs are called “maple bugs” for a reason. They love the seeds of the Manitoba Maple (Box Elder) tree.
- Rake the Seeds: If you have seed-bearing maple trees nearby, rake up the fallen seeds and seed pods regularly, especially in the spring and late summer. Reducing their food source helps limit their population size.
- Remove Clutter: Clear piles of rocks, wood, leaves, or mulch directly against your house. These materials provide the perfect, sheltered, and dry spots for adult bugs to gather and overwinter.
By focusing on these exclusion and removal techniques, you can significantly reduce the number of box elder bugs looking to share your warm space this winter.
If you are struggling to keep your boxelder bug problem under control, call the experts! The Spider Guys are happy to help.