Concerned about boxelder bugs? Call Aspen!

If you’ve noticed that your Oregon City home is suddenly infested with what you believe to be boxelder bugs, then there’s little time to waste. 

Contact the pest control professionals at Aspen Pest Control for a free quote. Our team of technicians are licensed, trained, and experienced in managing pest infestations of all kinds, including the boxelder bug. 

These pests might have less name recognition than wasps, spiders, or mice, but they’re no less of a nuisance when you find your home and yard overrun with unwanted visitors. Boxelder bugs have a pretty distinct look: bulbous orange eyes, dark brown to black in color, and the same fiery orange color outlining just about every section of their half-inch long bodies. 

Our team is here to provide you with the support you need to live a life free of pests, and we’re also here to help you better understand these creatures, what level of concern they pose, why you have them, and how you can treat them today while taking steps to prevent their return. 

Below, you’ll find the most pressing questions and the most helpful answers regarding boxelder bugs in Oregon City!

Why are there so many boxelder bugs on the siding of my house?

If you’ve noticed an uptick in the number of boxelder bugs congregating on the siding of your home, there’s a simple reason for this. Odds are, you’re seeing these gatherings of boxelder bugs on the south- and west-facing sides of your home. 

The south- and west-facing sides of the home are the ones that get the most sunlight. Boxelder bugs, like all insects, are cold-blooded creatures. They cannot regulate their own temperature, and seek out warmth when the weather is colder, particularly in early spring or in the autumn months. 

This, of course, is alarming and unsightly in appearance, and can create even bigger problems for your household should the bugs find ways in which they can enter your home. 

Where are the boxelder bugs coming from?

Typically, when you see a large number of boxelder bugs on your home and property, it’s due to your yard having the ideal conditions for nesting —  including their preferred source of food, the boxelder maple tree. 

Though the boxelder maple tree is the boxelder bug’s namesake, these insects will also get nutrients from other types of maple trees, some fruit trees, and certain ash trees. 

If your yard has the female, seed-producing varieties of these trees, then boxelder bugs will likely try to take advantage of these resources. Even if you do not have one of these trees on your property, you may still deal with boxelder bugs – they will fly up to two miles from their nests in search of food!

When will boxelder bugs go away?

Boxelder bugs are a seasonal pest, meaning that they’ll overwinter during the coldest months of the year (a process very similar to hibernation), and will emerge once the weather starts to warm back up. 

As the fall shifts to winter, boxelder bugs will seek shelter under the bark of trees, under rocks, and in other natural habitats. 

If the bugs that are gathering on your home are able to find their way inside, due to deferred maintenance like broken door and window seals, then it can mean that the boxelder bugs will stay inside, due to the consistent warmth. 

This can be a confusing situation for the bugs, where they’re able to find their way inside but are unable to find their way out. They’ll fill the voids in the walls, and possibly even make their way into the living spaces of your home. 

Though boxelder bugs do not cause structural damage to homes, nor do they pose any physical harm to people, they are an unsightly and annoying pest.

Similar to the stink bug, when boxelder bugs die or when they’re squished, they produce a very foul smelling odor, which is yet another reason why it’s important to address a boxelder bug infestation as soon as you see one. 

Will boxelder bugs eat my plants and garden?

Despite loving nutrients from boxelder, ash, and certain fruit trees, boxelder bugs are not agricultural pests like the stink bug and many others. 

Sometimes, the boxelder bug can cause damage to the trees they feed from, and sometimes it can cause its fruit to drop prematurely or to be scarred, but your garden should be safe from serious harm. 

How do I get rid of a boxelder bug infestation?

We recommend seeking professional help if you have a boxelder infestation. Since they’re flying insects, they can be incredibly difficult for the layperson to treat effectively. 

Despite that difficulty, our clients have found that just one application of commercial grade products by our technicians has led to a substantial reduction of the infestation.

Our pest control is most effective when applied to your home on a consistent basis. The vast majority of our new clients choose our year-round Home Protection Plan service because it includes preventative maintenance for a variety of seasonal pests. 

No matter what type of service you choose, we’ll always provide you with convenient appointment times, thorough inspections, and hassle-free, expert recommendations.

When it comes to pest infestations, there’s no time to waste, and when it comes to the service and support you need, there’s no better option than Aspen Pest Control. Call us TODAY for your FREE quote!