Best Boxelder Bug Treatment Near You in Vancouver
Proudly Offering Box Elder Bug Control Services
Size
Typically, full grown boxelder bugs measure to approximately ½ inch in length.
Color
The body of the boxelder bug is a dark brown or black in color, with red eyes and red or dark orange colorations on the perimeter of its wings and the center of its back.
What Are Boxelder Bugs?
Boxelder bugs (sometimes called “beetles”) are insects commonly found on boxelder maple trees, as well as ash trees, other maple varieties, and even some fruit trees. These bugs are primarily a nuisance in the Western United States. Boxelder bugs are about half an inch in length, typically black or dark brown, with distinctive bright red markings along the wing veins and abdomen. Immature boxelder bugs are almost entirely red until they mature. The name “boxelder bug” comes from their primary food source, the boxelder tree, and the areas where they tend to gather.
How Did I Get Boxelder Bugs?
If you notice boxelder bugs on your property or inside your home, it’s likely due to the presence of nearby boxelder, ash, or maple trees, which provide food for the bugs. However, boxelder bugs have a range of up to two square miles, so even if you don’t have these trees on your property, nearby trees could still attract them.
Do Boxelder Bugs Pose a Threat?
Boxelder bugs are not stinging insects and don’t spread disease, but they can be a significant nuisance. While they aren’t classified as agricultural pests, they can cause damage to trees, especially boxelders, by feeding on seeds and sap. This can result in premature fruit fall, scarring, and a cork-like effect on the tree bark. Boxelder bugs can also be found inside homes, where their droppings may stain lighter-colored surfaces.
Still not sure if you’re looking at a boxelder bug?
Boxelder Bug Tips
Are BOXELDER BUGS Harmful?
Boxelder bugs are not harmful to people.
Are boxelder bugs harmful to people?
Boxelder bugs are not stinging insects, nor are they carriers of disease.
Do boxelder bugs cause damage to property and homes?
While they do not cause damage to the home in the manner insects like carpenter ants do, infestations can be messy. Boxelder bugs are known to stain fabrics, furniture, and other household items via excrement.
ARE BOXELDER BUGS SEASONAL?
Boxelder bugs attempt to enter homes as it gets cold.
As the weather gets cooler (usually early October), the boxelder bugs seek warmth and discover entry points into the home. For about two to three weeks, our phone rings off the hook as boxelder bugs fly in from the trees to look for a home for winter.
During the cold winter, there’s a reprieve as the boxelders go dormant.
Are boxelder bugs more active when it’s sunny?
Sometimes, on warm and sunny winter days, homeowners will see the boxelders emerge to sun themselves. Boxelder bugs are known to congregate in large groups—hundreds or even thousands on the siding and windows of homes.
In March and April the box elders emerge from their overwintering hiding places and begin to fly back into the trees. Many homeowners see a noticeable increase in box elder bug activity during these two months.
Are transitions the main pain point for boxelder bugs?
The transition from the home to outside can take weeks and homeowners can again experience large numbers of boxelders on the siding and windows during this time-frame.
can i treat BOXELDER BUGS on my own?
Exterminating the boxelder bug population entirely is difficult with DIY pest control.
Many flying insects, like the boxelder bug are challenging to treat without the help of professional extermination services.
Boxelder bug extermination experts
Where Are the Boxelder Bugs Coming From?
Boxelder bugs are attracted to the warmth of homes, particularly during the cooler months when they seek shelter to overwinter. They often gather on the sunny side of buildings, typically south-facing, before attempting to enter your home through cracks or gaps in the exterior.
How to Prevent a Boxelder Infestation
Preventing boxelder bugs involves a few key steps to make your home less inviting:
- Seal Entry Points: Inspect your home for cracks or gaps around windows, doors, and the foundation. Seal any openings to prevent boxelder bugs from entering.
- Tree Management: Boxelder bugs are especially attracted to boxelder maple trees, as well as ash and certain types of maple trees. If you have boxelder trees, consider planting male varieties that do not produce seeds, or keep the ground free of seed pods to reduce the bug population.
- Clear Debris: Boxelder bugs are drawn to piles of leaves, rocks, or wood near your home, as these provide shelter. Keeping your yard clear of debris can help discourage pests from nesting near your home.
Early Intervention is Crucial for Boxelder Extermination
Boxelder bugs follow the same flight patterns each year, so if you spot them early in the fall, it’s important to act quickly. If left untreated, their numbers can increase, and they can find their way indoors. Although 100% eradication of flying insects like boxelders is challenging, professional pest control can significantly reduce their numbers and prevent further access to your home. Most customers report a dramatic improvement after just one treatment. The goal is to remove the bugs from your home, prevent further entry, and disrupt their flight patterns, making your property less attractive to them.
Boxelder Bug Treatment
1
INSPECT
Our commitment to you and your family is to provide a thorough examination of your boxelder infestation. Only after we’ve completed our inspection and provided you with a clear understanding of the situation will we propose recommended treatment options.
2
Apply products
Aspen uses advanced methods to treat the hidden areas where box elder bugs actually nest in addition to those areas where they’re visible.
3
ONGOING OBSERVATION
For some pest control companies, Initial treatment for your boxelder infestation is where they might end their services, but at Aspen Pest Control, this is where our relationship truly begins. Boxelders can be difficult to eradicate fully, but we will work with you to get a solution that leaves you satisfied with the result.
Secure your home from boxelder bugs
Why Should I Call Professional Pest Control?
Boxelder bugs can quickly become a persistent problem if left untreated. Once they establish themselves in or around your home, they tend to return year after year. Professional pest control services can help reduce their numbers and prevent further infestations. If you notice boxelder bugs inside your home or in large numbers around your property, it’s best to seek help from an experienced pest control company.
Call Aspen Pest Control Today!
Partner with a trusted team to eliminate your boxelder bug problem. At Aspen Pest Control, we pride ourselves on providing expert pest control solutions and excellent customer service. Our team is here to ensure your home remains pest-free. Contact us today for a consultation!
Vancouver Office:
12104 NE 95th St.
Vancouver, WA 98682
Portland Office:
8305 SE Monterey Ave
Suite 220 Q
Happy Valley, OR 97086
Mailing Address:
19215 SE 34th St
Suite #106-155
Camas, WA 98607
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What's Bugging You Near Vancouver, WA?
