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Boxelder bugs, which are often drawn to boxelder and maple trees, are known for congregating in large groups. Luckily, they won’t do much damage to your home or your plants, but they can still be a nuisance due to their sheer numbers. In addition, boxelder bugs produce a strong, unpleasant odor, particularly when they gather in large numbers or if they’re crushed. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to get rid of the bugs and discourage them from coming back.
Steps
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Wear appropriate safety gear before working with insecticides. You can never be too safe when you’re working with insecticides or other chemicals. Wear heavy-duty gloves, protective goggles, a dust mask, and long sleeves and pants. That way, you’ll avoid eye, skin, or respiratory inhalation due to the chemicals. [1] X Research source
- When you choose a product, read the label closely for specific safety instructions.
- Even if a product isn’t harmful to humans, like diatomaceous earth, it’s best to protect yourself. The powder can irritate your lungs if you breathe in a large amount of it, and it can also be very drying to your eyes.
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Use food-grade diatomaceous earth to treat large swarms of boxelder bugs. Before you use dangerous pesticides, opt for a safer treatment. Following the manufacturer’s instructions, use a hand duster or a large scoop to sprinkle diatomaceous earth around the base of your boxelder or maple trees. Then, scatter more powder around the perimeter of your home, being especially generous around doorways and windows. [2] X Research source
- You’ll need to reapply this treatment after it rains or if the bugs come back.
- Diatomaceous earth is non-toxic to humans and pets, but it is lethal to boxelder bugs. That’s because the fine silica-based powder affects insects’ exoskeletons, leading to their death. [3] X Trustworthy Source National Pesticide Information Center Organization run by Oregon State University providing objective, science-based information about pests and pesticides Go to source
- You can use Borax instead of diatomaceous earth, if you’d like. This boron-based compound is also safe to use around the home.
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Spray the outside of your home with insecticide if the bugs are swarming. Boxelder bugs release a chemical that attracts other boxelder bugs, which can sometimes lead to large swarms. This is especially common in the fall, when the bugs are trying to find somewhere warm to spend the winter. If a swarm occurs, use insecticide to kill the bugs. Follow the specific application instructions for the product you’re using, observe all listed safety precautions, and spray the entire wall where the boxelder bugs are congregating. [4] X Research source
- You can also use the insecticide to create a perimeter around your home, preventing the boxelder bugs from getting inside.
- Look for a commercial preparation that lists boxelder bugs on the label. Common chemicals for residential pesticide use include bifenthrin, cyfluthrin, and deltamethrin.
- Keep children and pets away from areas treated with an insecticide.
Did You Know? Boxelder bug swarms are commonly found on the south and west sides of homes because these walls are warmed by the sun throughout the day.
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Vacuum up big clumps of bugs. If you have a shop vac or a vacuum with an attachment hose, you can bust big groups of boxelder bugs by simply sucking them up. Then, either take the bag out of the vacuum or empty the canister into a garbage bag, and seal the bag tightly shut before you throw it away. This will keep the bugs from escaping. [5] X Research source
- This is also an effective way to remove boxelder bugs that get inside your home.
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Call a professional if the bugs still aren’t gone. If you’ve tried diatomaceous earth, borax, or commercial insecticides and the boxelder bugs haven’t left, you may need to call a professional exterminator. The exterminator will come out and assess the situation, and typically they will then give you an estimate for how much they think it will cost to fix the problem. In most cases, the consultations will be free, but be sure to check first. [6] X Research source
- If you’ve never used an exterminator before, ask your friends and family to recommend someone to you, or research local exterminators online to find one with mostly positive reviews.
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Rake up fallen boxelder seeds as soon as they drop. Boxelder bugs feed on the sap from female boxelder trees, which they primarily obtain from their seedpods. When you notice the seedpods starting to drop in the fall, rake them up and dispose of them as often as possible. This will help remove the bugs’ food source, which will discourage them from congregating in your yard. [7] X Research source
- Boxelder bugs also feed on other types of maple trees, though not as commonly. If the boxelder bugs seem to be attracted to another tree, rake the leaves and seeds from that tree as soon as they fall, as well.
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Use a strong stream of water to disperse small groups of bugs. Since boxelder bugs attract others, you can help prevent large swarms by keeping smaller groups from forming. If you see several boxelder bugs together, spray them with a hose set to the strongest stream possible. [8] X Research source
- This won’t kill the bugs or cause them to leave your property, but if you’re able to catch them when they’re just starting to gather, they won’t be able to release their scent to call others to that spot.
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Soak the bugs with soapy water to kill them quickly. Spraying the bugs with plain water won't kill them, but using soapy water will. Mix about 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of dish soap into a spray bottle full of water. When you see boxelder bugs on the side of your house, near your windowsill, or anywhere else they might gather, just grab your spray bottle and saturate the bugs. This is less harmful than using chemicals to treat the bugs, while still being very effective. [9] X Research source
Tip: If you just see 1 or 2 bugs, squash them or stomp them with your shoe!
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Replace female boxelder trees if you want to permanently get rid of the bugs. If nothing else you’ve tried has made much of a difference and the boxelder bugs are really bothering you, you might consider removing the female trees. Hire a professional tree removal service to safely cut down the female boxelder tree, then plant another tree in its place. [10] X Research source
- Male boxelder trees don’t produce seedpods, so you don’t need to cut these down.
- This is an extreme solution to getting rid of a bug that generally doesn’t cause too much trouble. In most cases, it’s simpler to keep your tree and just accept the bugs.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionWill box elders leave or die out in the winter months?Community AnswerNo. They just seem to hide. They come back out in full force when the warmer months arrive.
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QuestionWhat spray can I use in my flower beds to get rid of boxelder bugs?Community AnswerSoapy water and pyrethrin.
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QuestionHow do I get rid of a nest of them by my front door area?Community AnswerA good shop-vac sucks them up with ease. You may have to repeat the process over the course of a few weeks, but will notice a large drop after three or four times doing this.
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Things You’ll Need
- Safety gear (eye protection, long sleeves and pants, dust mask, and gloves)
- Diatomaceous earth (optional)
- Scoop (optional)
- Borax (optional)
- Chemical insecticide (optional)
- Soapy water and spray bottle (optional)
- Rake
Tips
- The best time to use insecticides to treat boxelder bugs is in the fall. This is when they tend to cluster in large numbers to "find a warm place to hide for the winter". [11] X Research sourceThanks
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References
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-get-rid-of-boxelder-bugs/
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-get-rid-of-boxelder-bugs/
- ↑ http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/degen.html
- ↑ https://extension.umn.edu/nuisance-insects/boxelder-bugs#pesticides-117863
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-get-rid-of-boxelder-bugs/
- ↑ https://extension.umn.edu/nuisance-insects/boxelder-bugs#pesticides-117863
- ↑ https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/boxelder-bugs-5-522/
- ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-get-rid-of-boxelder-bugs/
- ↑ https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/boxelder_bugs_are_a_real_nuisance_this_time_of_year
About This Article
Article Summary
X
To get rid of outdoor boxelder bugs, fill a spray bottle with water and liquid dish soap and spray the bugs to kill them. You can also sprinkle borax or food-grade diatomaceous earth around the perimeter of your home and plants to keep boxelder bugs away. Even just spraying the bugs with your garden hose can stop them from gathering on your plants. To learn about the chemical insecticides you can use to get rid of boxelder bugs, read on!
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Reader Success Stories
- "For the past few years we have noticed a marked increase of these bugs on the south side of our home when the sun is shining on the bricks in spring and fall. This year, we saw them all winter! If there was a sunny day, they would cover the corner of our porch and screen door. Now that spring is here, we are finding huge clusters of them on the corner of the porch that receives the most afternoon sun. We don't use chemicals in our yard because of our dogs. This information really helped." ..." more
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"For the past few years we have noticed a marked increase of these bugs on the south side of our home when the sun is shining on the bricks in spring and fall. This year, we saw them all winter! If there was a sunny day, they would cover the corner of our porch and screen door. Now that spring is here, we are finding huge clusters of them on the corner of the porch that receives the most afternoon sun. We don't use chemicals in our yard because of our dogs. This information really helped."
..."
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"My neighbor has a Chinese Raintree and the box elder bugs feed on the seeds inside the lantern pods. I have used diatomaceous earth for the past 2 years. Tonight I sprayed dish soap and water on them and it seemed to really work!"
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"After reading this article, I mixed liquid dish soap and water in a spray bottle and was able to get rid of a large number of boxelder bugs without the use of toxic insecticides."
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"Very helpful, since I am a novice and never had to deal with boxelder bugs before. Also very nice to get pros and cons of each option. "
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"Great, as I am always wanting to do it myself and I have that "D" word. Otherwise, I have to call. My house looks possessed. "
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