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Boxelder bugs against a white background - Keep boxelders away from your home with General Pest Control in Middleburg Heights

Boxelder Bug

Actual Size: ½”

Characteristics: Flat and oval; black with reddish-orange markings on the back.

Legs: 6

Antennae: Yes

Wings: Yes

Habitat: Often found on the sides of buildings. Drawn to sunny areas.

Habits:

  • Emit an offensive odor when crushed. 
  • Wings lay flat over their bodies, overlapping each other to form an ‘X’.
  • Congregate in the fall on the south side of homes, structures, and trees.

Boxelder Bugs in Cleveland

Boxelder bugs are named after the boxelder tree. This tree is cultivated throughout the United States and is the primary host of the insect. They will typically eat flowers, leaves, and seed pods from the boxelder tree, but will also migrate to ash and maple trees. When the temperatures cool in the fall, boxelder bugs may migrate into homes to have a warm place to live for the winter season. Like most other pests, boxelder bugs will usually be seen when they are invading a home for winter or when they depart to go back outside in the spring.

Boxelder Bug Habitat

When fall arrives, boxelder bugs will assemble on the south side of buildings, rocks, and trees to bask in the sun. Once a large mass has accumulated, they usually fly to protected areas for winter hibernation. It is at this time that they will enter buildings and homes to overwinter within the structure’s walls. While indoors, they will not reproduce but will find ways to come and go through doors, windows, ceiling lights, outdoor faucets, soffit and drying vents, and on the house siding.

Boxelder Bug Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

There have been rare reports of a boxelder bug biting a person, however, any bite from this insect is extremely uncommon. Regardless, their bite is not harmful and does not transmit any diseases. Further, they have not been known to damage, however, their droppings may stain surfaces. At most, boxelder bugs are annoying and can cause spotting with their excrement on furnishings, curtains, and clothing. They will also emit an offensive odor if they are crushed.

If you have a boxelder bug infestation, contact your local pest control professional for assistance.