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Boxelder
Bug Life Cycle
- Larvae
feed on maple tree leaves -
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Summary:
Boxelder bugs have only one generation per year.
This insect develops on maple trees during summer
months then migrates in the fall to find a protected
place to spend the winter. Unfortunately, sometimes
this protected place is our homes.
Jack
DeAngelis, PhD
OSU
Ext. Entomologist (ret.)
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For some unfortunate
homeowners boxelder bugs are a yearly ordeal
(see What are Boxelder
Bugs?) when these fairly large bugs congregate
on their homes each fall. Once settling on the
home's siding they may even find ways to get
indoors. The good news is they pose no real
threat to you or your home and don't breed indoors.
The bad news is they may be back year after year,
and they can be a real nuisance. If they do get
indoors they can soil interior furnishings with
their droppings and may be a nuisance all winter.
Unfortunately we don't
have any permanent solutions to offer but there are
a few things that will help. First, caulk openings
and cracks around doors and windows and repair
window and soffit (roof vent) screens to block
entry. If bugs get in, in large numbers, it may be
necessary to treat wall voids and attic spaces with
insecticide. See our DIY
Boxelder Bug Control article for suggestions
for treating siding and wall voids.
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Boxelder
bug (about 1/2 inch long). Note the
red markings around the dark grey wings.
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Why are certain houses
selected by boxelder bugs?
The natural habitat of
overwintering boxelder bugs is the deep furrows in the
bark of large trees. These furrows provide boxelder
bugs with protection from winter weather. While it is
not entirely clear why some houses are selected
instead, boxelder bugs seem to be attracted to those
that share certain characteristics. Tall buildings,
two-story or higher, get more attention from these
critters. Also, houses that are sited high relative to
their surroundings such as those built on a hill.
The migrating adult bugs
also seem favor houses with large trees immediately
adjacent, especially if these trees are on the side
that gets afternoon sun. These large trees apparently
act as beacons when the adult bugs are on the move.
During sunny afternoons bugs that are resting in the
trees fly onto the warm house siding.
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Boxelder bug life
cycle
- FALL - adult
bugs leave maple trees and search for protected
place to spend winter months, this is when they
are the biggest nuisance.
- WINTER -
adult bugs inactive, unless in warm indoor living
spaces.
- SPRING -
adult bugs leave winter sites, fly to maple trees
and lay eggs for next generation.
- SUMMER - eggs
hatch, young bugs feed on maple leaves and
complete development. There is only 1 generation
per year.
Remember, as much of a
nuisance as they are, boxelder bugs will only be
active outdoors until the weather gets cold so the
best solution may be to just ignore the bugs until
they go away. A
final caution: In some areas yearly
boxelder bug invasions have become a discloseable
condition, like a leaky roof, when selling
real estate. Discuss this with your real estate
agent.
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Mission: To
provide accurate, up-to-date and unbiased information
for solving common insect and mite problems around
your home, business and landscape using least-toxic
methods.
Jack DeAngelis,
Ph.D.
Please see the Disclaimer statements as
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