I was looking around at the number of people that visit which stories on our website this morning and noticed a huge spike in traffic to this story we wrote back in 2006 on Boxelder bugs. Just yesterday alone the number of people searching for the story went from an average of 40 people to about 250 in one day. This got me wondering, are you starting to notice that seasonal invasion of these bugs?

Leave a comment here to tell us about your box elder stories. 2006 was a big year for the little buggers and I wonder what differences you might see this year.

Tags : insects, nature, bugs, Boxelder bugs

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Boxelder bug
Courtesy Bruce Marlin

Beware, boxelder bugs may have a huge population explosion this fall. Turns out boxelder bugs operate on a ten year cycle. Between years seven and ten, the bugs tend to be the most reproductively active. What year are we in? Year eight.

Boxelder bug characteristics

As an adult, boxelder bugs reach a length of ½ inches. They are mostly black with red lines decorating their backs. Typically, these bugs become a nuisance during the fall and early spring.

Boxelder bugs eat a host of plants. However, they tend to favor boxelder seed pods found on female boxelder trees. If there is a female boxelder tree in you neighborhood then the odds of having a boxelder infestation increases.

Boxelder bugs seek shelter in protected places. Typical shelter areas include cracks or crevices in walls, doors, under windows and around foundations. The bugs particularly favor south and west exposures.

Boxelder bug eradication

Here are some tips if boxelder bugs sneak into your dwellings:

• Caulk or seal all cracks and spaces found in your foundation, siding, windows, doors and other entry points
• Exterior insecticide treatments (chlorpyrifos, diazinon, permethrin)
• Soap mixtures
• Call pest control services
• Vacuum up boxelder bugs

Lastly, remember boxelder bugs are not able to survive more than a few days indoors and are essentially harmless. So check now, make sure your house is sealed before the boxelder population explosion hits!

Tags : phenology, pests, insects, infestations, eradication, Boxelder bugs, <a href=, will cats get sick from eating box elder bugs, harmful to pets?

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