| Boxelder bug adults are about 1/2 inch long. They are slate-gray with three red lines behind the head and red lines on the wings. The rear half of the wings have a reddish margin and the abdomen under the wings is also red. Nymphs (young bugs) are bright red with darker heads. They resemble adults, but their wings do not fully develop until they reach maturity.
The insects feed by sucking sap primarily from the leaves of female Boxelder maple trees. Boxelder bugs do not bite people, or damage houseplants or fabrics. |
Damage to plants is rarely significant enough to warrant control.
A vacuum is the best control for boxelder bugs that enter the home.
As an alternative to traditional pesticide, congregations of these insects outdoors can be sprayed with a mixture of 1/2 cup dishwashing detergent and 1 gallon of water. Test spray a small, inconspicuous spot on your home's siding to make sure the mixture does not stain. Once you have determined the mixture will not stain, the insects can be sprayed as often as necessary. This mixture will not give any residual control, and will only kill this insects that are sprayed.
If the insects become a nuisance around the home, then labeled insecticides can be use for control. |
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