Boxelder bugs in Springville can cause more problems than you might think. At the same time, many people never even hear about these bugs until they start noticing them around their property.
Whether you’re learning about boxelder bugs for the first time or have known about them for years, this article can help you nail down some essential prevention strategies and provide some important information about why boxelder bugs cause problems for homeowners. We will close with a brief discussion of the merits of professional pest control services in Springville targeting boxelder bugs.
Key Characteristics Of Boxelder Bugs: How To Identify Them
An important first step to boxelder bug control is being able to identify them. Again, these aren’t the most well-known pests, so let’s walk through the basics of what boxelder bugs look like.
Boxelder bugs in Springville have a strong oval shape, six legs, and two long antennae. For overall size, boxelder bugs are typically around half an inch long. These insects also have distinctive coloring: black with bright red-orange patterns along their backs.
Of course, you can also identify boxelder bugs by paying attention to their behavior and location. As you might guess from their name, boxelder bugs do indeed like boxelder trees, but they can also commonly be found near ash trees and maple trees.
Boxelder Bug Problems: Understanding The Damage They Can Cause
Are boxelder bugs harmful to you or your home? This is probably one of the first questions that comes to mind after you successfully identify boxelder bugs on your property.
Generally speaking, the answer is no. Boxelder bugs are not explicitly harmful to humans and don’t typically damage property or trees. However, they can still cause problems.
For example, if boxelder bugs feel threatened, they may bite. They can also stain surfaces with their droppings. Lastly, if you happen to crush a boxelder bug, they will release an undesirable smell.
Also, large amounts of boxelder bugs can sometimes seek heat and shelter inside your home, leading to clusters of insects coming through windows, doors, or even electrical outlets.
These issues can be easily avoided if you take the initiative to enact some basic boxelder bug prevention strategies.
Boxelder Bug Prevention: Effective Strategies For Keeping Them At Bay
Now it’s time to cover how to keep boxelder bugs away from your home, and the way to do that is by using practical prevention methods. Here are some of our favorite prevention strategies:
- Repair window screens and seal holes or gaps around windows.
- Install door sweeps on exterior-facing doors.
- Clean sunny exterior surfaces with soap and water, such as windowsills and siding.
- Trim your boxelder trees and other trees these insects are attracted to.
- Make sure your electrical outlet covers fit properly. This can prevent boxelder bugs from hiding inside the outlet.
Follow these simple steps, and boxelder bugs won’t have much reason to stay near your house. But if you’re currently dealing with an infestation, we recommend working with professionals.
Effective Control For Boxelder Bugs: Say Goodbye To These Pesky Pests
Now that we know all about boxelder bugs and how they affect homes, how do you get rid of boxelder bugs for good? After all, these insects might not be especially harmful, but no one wants giant crowds of insects coming into their home.
The single best way to control boxelder bugs is to hire a local pest control company that has experience with this particular type of pest. For the best possible results, contact a pest control service as soon as you notice boxelder bugs around your home.
If you’re in need of boxelder bug control in Springville or would like to learn more, feel free to contact us at Bug Wranglers today. We’ll be happy to help you out.