Boxelder Bugs

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What do box elder bugs look like?

Adult boxelder bugs are winged insects with distinctive red and orange markings. They grow to about 1/2 inch in length and have specialized mouthparts for feeding. Immature box elder bugs are smaller than adults, are bright red in color, and have not developed wings. 

Are boxelder bugs dangerous?

Nope, not really. Box elder bugs don’t bite, sting or transmit disease. They are relatively harmless bugs that, during the summer months, are often found on box elder tress as well as maple and ash trees. Generally speaking, they only become a pest problem starting in late summer and extending through the fall. That’s because they seek out shelter from the cooling weather and often times that means they move into homes and businesses.

Homeowners may find excrement on walls, furniture, curtains and other items but that damage is not really cause for concern. Especially not when you compare this pest to termites or mice.

Why do I have boxelder bug problem?

Again it comes back to the time of year. To these bugs, your home or business offers the perfect place to spend the winter months. They’ll start by taking up space on the warm, sunny exterior of your structure and then make their way inside through cracks in the foundation or siding. Gaps around doors and windows also make access easy for these pests to invade.

You may also see box elder bug activity in the spring when the weather warms up and these bugs move back outside.

How do you get rid of boxelder bugs?

If you are having problems with box elder bugs in your home, EnviroPest can help. Our Colorado’s Choice is a home pest control program that targets household pests including box elder bugs.

We also offer commercial pest control services to combat insect and rodent infestations.

How much does box elder bug removal cost?

Treatment cost varies, however you can visit our Colorado’s Choice program page for more information or get an instant quote here!

How soon can you get here?

At EnviroPest, we take all pest issues very seriously and are committed to helping as soon as possible. In most cases, we can respond the same or very next day.

How can I prevent box elder bugs from infesting in the future?

The best way to prevent a box elder bug problem is to keep these pests out by fortifying the exterior of your home. We recommend:

• Sealing any cracks and crevices found in your home’s foundation
• Caulking gaps around exterior windows and doors
• Repairing any damage to siding or roof shingles.
• Trimming trees or shrubs so that they don’t touch the exterior of your home or building.
• Our Colorado's Choice plan is a great option to keep Boxelders and 20 other common pests out of your home.

If boxelder bugs are a serious problem, you might consider removing box elder trees and other seed bearing trees from your property or at least move them further from your house.