How to Keep Boxelder Bugs Out of Your House: 5 Tips for Idaho Homeowners

When you see one little boxelder bug, you probably aren’t too alarmed. They’re red and black — the same color as cute lady bugs.

Hi, little bug!

Except you never really see one little boxelder bug, because these pesky invaders — one of the most annoying winter pests in Idaho — travel in huge gangs.

Their goal — warmth. You know, like inside your house.

It’s kind of freaky.

How to keep boxelder bugs out of your house?

Let’s take a look.

First, What Are These Little Beasts?

Boxelder bugs are about a half inch long with flat black oval bodies with orange or red markings, including three stripes on the area right behind the head. Their wings lay flat over their bodies, overlapping each other to form an ‘X.’

Yuck, right? But as tempting as it is, don’t crush them. They release a stinky liquid that attracts other bugs, and it can stain your walls, carpet, or floor.

Vacuum them up instead, then empty them into a sealed bag, or sweep them out.

What Attracts Boxelder Bugs?

Boxelder bugs love gathering on warm surfaces when it’s chilly, so they can soak up warmth. You’ll see them in huge numbers on the sides of buildings.

Once they’re hanging out on the outside of your house, it’s not a big journey to make it inside. As they bunch up together, they push each other into gaps and cracks then follow the heat until they make it inside.

How to Keep Boxelder Bugs Away from Your House

You could stand guard outside with brooms, vacuum cleaners, rakes, tarps, and a flame thrower. But who has time for that?

Try these tips:

1. Trim Box Elder Trees

That’s right, boxelder bugs are named after boxelder trees. They suck sap from the leaves and stems. What do boxelder bugs eat? They really love munching the tree’s seed pods.

If you remove the box elder trees, you’ll reduce the bugs.

Too drastic?

Consider trimming the trees regularly and raking up the seed pods as they fall.

2. Seal Things Up to Prevent Boxelder Bugs from Entering Your Home

Boxelder bugs enter your house through cracks and other openings during the fall, looking for a cozy winter hangout. Once inside, they multiply and settle in.

Inspect the exterior of your home for any cracks in the foundation or gaps forming in your roof or under your doors.

Fill them, to keep pesky bugs out.

3. Check Door and Window Screens

Keep boxelder bugs out of your house by repairing any tears or cracks where bugs can skitter through. Ditto for door seals. Are they tight?

4. Check Your Electrical Cover Plates

Remember, boxelder bugs love and seek out heat. That means they often make their sneaky way in to electrical outlets and heating ducts. Make sure your covers are tight.

5. Pack a Punch with Perimeter Pest Control

How to keep boxelder bugs away from your house? Prevention. Perimeter pest control is an outdoor barrier protection that helps prevent boxelder bugs and other insects from entering your Idaho home and foundation.

A late fall treatment will help keep heat-seeking pests from coming inside.

Perimeter pest control focuses on prevention, carrying out insect control before bugs make it into your home and begin to cause problems.

Lawn Buddies technicians spray around the perimeter of your home and yard to send insects packing for about three months.

Technicians typically treat about three feet up on the house and six feet out, creating a wide protective barrier around the house that includes the landscaping and lawn directly around your home.

The spray leaves a residue on surfaces that kills insects and continues to work for about three months.

Fall is a great time to pair that outdoor perimeter pest control with an interior pest control treatment, extra protection as bugs try to make their way in out of the cold.

We’ll deliver your insect control while we’re already on your property for lawn care treatments. No extra hassle for you.

Is Your Lawn Ready for a New Best Friend?

You have enough to worry about without stressing about battalions of boxelder bugs swarming your house.

Let us take care of it.

The first step to taking advantage of Lawn Buddies perimeter pest control is to sign up for our 6-step complete lawn care program.

You’ll be glad you did.

Choose an Idaho Falls or Boise professional lawn care service that makes it easy, bundling your yard’s most-needed treatments into one convenient, no-fuss plan.

Fertilizing, weed control, grub control. Done. Add pest control. Double done.

We’ve got your back.

Got a few minutes? That’s all you need to get started. You can simply:
Fill out the form on this page.
Call us at (208) 656-9131.
Or read more about our services.
Then kick back and relax in your healthy, thriving yard and pest-free home.

Image Source: Tree trimming,  Box Elder