October 19th 2024.
As autumn arrives like clockwork, the boxelder bugs make their annual appearance. These small, reddish-black insects are often mistaken for our four-legged furry friends, but they are actually a species of true bugs with a special needle-like mouth for eating. Boxelder bugs may seem creepy and appear out of nowhere, but according to Alison O'Connor, an expert from Colorado State University, they are simply looking for a warm place to survive the upcoming winter. The good news is that they don't bite, they are just a nuisance.
To better understand boxelder bugs, let's take a closer look at their physical characteristics, their preferred host trees, and some recommended control methods. These oval-shaped bugs are about half an inch long and can be found throughout the Western states. They have black or brown bodies with red stripes on their thorax and wing margins, and some can even be bright red all over. Their lifespan is about one year, and they lay rust-colored eggs on female boxelder trees in the spring and late summer. The small nymphs hatch from the eggs after about two weeks and are also bright red in color.
Nymphs and adult boxelder bugs feed on the leaves and soft seeds of female boxelder trees, as well as ash trees and maples. While they can cause some damage to their host trees, it is usually not significant. However, as the weather cools down, boxelder bugs start to congregate in warm areas such as buildings, firewood piles, and landscape mulch. This can lead to a noticeable odor and some squished bugs if they are accidentally crushed.
Not all boxelder trees attract these bugs, as some male cultivars do not produce seeds and are therefore not of interest to the bugs. To identify a boxelder tree, look for its compound leaves with three to seven leaflets attached to the mid-vein, arranged in an opposite pattern along the branches. The fruit, called winged nutlets, ripen in late summer and fall, which can lead to more boxelder trees growing in the area.
When it comes to controlling boxelder bugs, the first line of defense is to prevent them from entering your home by sealing any cracks or crevices. If they do make their way inside, they can easily be removed and disposed of. Chemical sprays are not recommended, as boxelder bugs do not cause harm inside homes and can be easily removed by hand or with a mild soapy water spray. It is also not necessary to spray boxelder trees, as the damage from the bugs is usually minimal.
Another natural control method is to remove their preferred nesting spots, such as leaves and yard debris, from around your home. This will prevent them from overwintering and potentially causing a larger infestation in the spring. While natural enemies like rodents and birds may eat a few boxelder bugs, they are not reliable control methods.
In conclusion, while boxelder bugs may be a bit of a nuisance in the fall, they are simply looking for a warm place to survive the winter and do not cause significant harm to their host trees or homes. By understanding their behavior and using simple control methods, we can coexist with these bugs and appreciate the superheroes of the true bug world, like ladybugs, that help keep our landscapes healthy.
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