Have you ever wanted to learn more about those pesky fall pests known as box elder bugs? Well we have good news, the experts at Parkway Pest Services are here to fill in any blanks you may have about these pests by giving you all the information you ever wanted to know about these bugs that are commonly referred to as “Halloween bugs”. We are going to provide you with facts about box elder bugs, how to prevent them from getting into your home, and how Parkway can help!
The first question you may have is why they are referred to as “Halloween bugs”, we can assure you that it isn’t because you will find them out trick or treating, but instead because of their coloring! Box elder bugs have an almond shaped body that is black in color and is trimmed in an orange/red color- typical Halloween colors!
During the summer months, you probably won’t even notice box elder bugs this is because they are happily feeding on the leaves, flowers, and seeds of box elder trees, maple trees and some fruit trees. It is only when the cooler weather of fall comes around that they suddenly become a huge issue inside of homes.
Box elder bugs are drawn to the warm sunny sides of homes and other buildings in the late fall; they gather in huge numbers, crawl up the exterior walls, and make their way inside through gaps around windows, underneath of doors, and through other cracks and crevices found in exterior walls. Once inside they crawl throughout your home, ending up in large piles on window sills, staining walls, upholstery, clothes, rugs, and curtains with their feces. Something you certainly do not want in your home.
What are they doing in your home, you ask? They are trying to find a spot to overwinter in, they usually end up in attic spaces, behind walls, in crawl spaces, and underneath of floors. They will remain there until the weather warms up and they again move throughout your house causing stains as they move back outside to once again begin feeding and breeding.
Listed below are some easy steps that you can take around your home to protect it from being invaded by box elder bugs this fall.
- Routinely sweep up seeds that fall from box elder trees if any are present in your yard. Spray off any box elder bugs that you see crawling on trees.
- Remove clutter from your property like piles of leaves, rocks, and other organic material that could be used as hiding spots for box elder bugs.
- Repair or seal any cracks or crevices found in your home’s exterior walls.
- Seal openings found around pipes, fixtures, air conditioners, and other objects that enter into your home.
- Place a tight fitting chimney cap on your home’s chimney.
- Use screens to cover all vents that are entering into your home.
- Caulk gaps found around windows and doors, make sure that all screens are completely intact and replace any that are not.
In addition to doing all you can to prevent them from entering into your home, getting preventative help from a professional is the absolute best way to stop an invasion of box elder bugs from taking over your home this fall. At Parkway Pest Services we have the training, equipment, and know-how to help stop these bugs from entering your home and damaging objects found inside. To get started protecting your home from box elder bugs, give the experts at call at Parkway Pest Services today!