Box-elder bugs a Nuisance?

Question

We have a massive problem with these bugs (similar to lightening bugs, but no light on their backsides) late spring until the first freeze. They crawl into the house via the window air conditioners (we have two in two different areas of the house). We did two bug bombs inside last year. We also bought outdoor spray and sprayed almost every other week. Nothing worked. The hotter it gets outside, the more they come inside. They drive our cat crazy and we get tired of having them land on our food, or in the cat's food, or on clean dishes, or have dead ones laying all over the floor.

Any suggestions? We've used the Home Defense outdoor spray.

This is only our 2nd year in the house. So we don't know if there was a huge problem before. It was my grandma's house and she would've told me if it was a bad problem. Should we call an actual exterminator later this spring?

Answer 1

At last--another person with this problem!!! We are trying to sell our house and I actually made up a little sketch with these bugs' info so the potential buyers don't think they are cockroaches!! We have what we call 'Manitoba Maples' (boxelder trees) growing all around the house. The only real way to rid yourself of the bugs is to cut down and burn all the female trees (seed producing) as these are the hosts to the bugs. Barring that--you're stuck with them. If you're not squeamish--manually kill as many in the Fall as you can, before they make their way in to hibernate. They congregate under loose bark, between layers of stuff, that sort of thing. Good luck.

Answer 2

They seem to have bad years and good years for these (and Asian ladybugs). So you may not have near the problem you did last year. jimdc is right about sealing all the cracks and holes that they can enter. It took me 2 tubes of caulk and a caulk gun to do my house and it's the best thing I ever did--as far as bug control is concerned. This winter I've only had 2 ladybugs and NO Box-elder bugs in my house--last summer I had none of either--and it also cut down on the ants that get inside. So before you start getting out all the bug-bombs go around your house and caulk every crack and crevice you can find. It's hard work but it's worth it. Then if you get some (depending on the number) you can either vacuum them or spray them--you would have to be the judge. Hold off on the exterminator until you patch up the house--most of them won't tell you to caulk because they make a living spraying bug killer. Now that I think of it, I make a living selling bug killer.

Answer 3

Box elder bugs are usually attracted to certain types of trees. Box elder obviously, but they also love Japanese Pagoda and Goldenrain. Hard to get rid of. You have to seal up any crack they can crawl into to get into your house. Remove any mulch from around the trees you see them in and from around the house. They will overwinter in that and come back next spring. Most sprays won't work, there is just so many of them.