[cr_mobile_button_hero]

Boxelder Bug Control

Serving Charlotte | Raleigh – Durham | Greensboro

When the weather starts to cool in the fall, you may start noticing boxelder bugs making their way inside. If you’re ready to kick these yearly houseguests out, our boxelder bug exterminators do more than just get rid of the ones you see.

We’ll find out how they’re entering your home and ensure they can’t anymore, giving you long-term peace of mind. We understand how frustrating these pests can be, which is why our boxelder control experts will create a custom treatment and prevention plan for your home.

Whether you’re seeing a few boxelder bugs or a full-blown swarm, we have the experience and treatments to solve the problem completely. Call us today for a free estimate on boxelder bug control in North Carolina.

Our Boxelder Bug Control Process - How Does It Work?

Our process starts with a thorough property inspection, pinpointing exactly how they’re getting inside. We use that information to create a custom solution to your boxelder bug infestation.

Our process for boxelder bug control includes these steps:

Inspection: Our boxelder bug removal technicians will carefully inspect your property, looking for possible entry points like cracks in your foundation, gaps around doors and windows, and openings in siding. We’ll pay special attention to areas near boxelder trees and other host plants.
Targeted Treatment: Once we’ve discovered the origin of the problem, we use effective and long-lasting treatments to eliminate the active infestation.
Prevention: Our boxelder bug exterminators don’t stop when the active infestation is gone. We’ll keep working with you to put long-term preventative measures in place, so you can continue to enjoy a boxelder bug-free home.

Why Do Boxelder Bugs Come into Your Home?

They’re primarily outdoor insects, but when autumn arrives and temperatures drop, they seek warmer places to spend the winter. Houses provide an ideal option.

Boxelder bugs live and breed on boxelder trees (hence the name), but if there aren’t any boxelders nearby, they’ll also make different types of trees their habitat – ash and maple, in particular. When it starts to get cold, they’re drawn to the sunny, warm sides of buildings, where they congregate in large numbers.

From these gatherings, some will inevitably disperse into tiny cracks, gaps around windows and doors, and openings in your foundation or siding. Their goal is simple: find a protected area to survive during winter. And your home is exactly what they’re looking for.

Signs You Need Professional Boxelder Bug Control

If it’s just a few boxelder bugs, it’s mostly a matter of tolerance. If you can ignore them, they will likely die off in the weeks to come. However, if it’s a large infestation in the cozy confines of your house, they can keep living and breeding all winter.

Here are the signs you should consider calling a boxelder bug exterminator:

Extensive clustering outdoors: If you’re seeing large numbers of boxelder bugs congregating on the sunny, exterior walls of your home, especially on south or west-facing sides during late summer and fall. This is a tell-tale sign they’re looking for ways inside.
Sudden indoor appearance: Discovering significant numbers of boxelder bugs inside your home, particularly around windows, doors, light fixtures, or in wall voids during the cooler months. Their presence means they’ve successfully breached your home’s defenses.
Winter emergence: Finding live boxelder bugs actively moving around your living spaces in the middle of winter. This indicates they’ve established an overwintering population within your walls or attic and are emerging on warmer days.
Annual infestations: If your home consistently experiences boxelder bug problems every fall, despite your own efforts, it points to a recurring issue that requires a comprehensive solution from a professional boxelder bug exterminator.

We also offer a Pest Protection Plan, which covers boxelder bugs and 24 other pests, so you won’t have to worry all year.

What’s the Difference Between Boxelder Bugs and Stink Bugs?

Boxelder bugs and stink bugs are two common fall pests that seek shelter indoors. Understanding these differences helps in identifying which specific pest you’re dealing with, which is the first step toward effective control.

Appearance

Boxelder Bugs: Typically black with prominent red-orange markings or stripes, they have an elongated, somewhat flattened body, usually around 1/2 inch long.
Stink Bugs: Characterized by a broader, shield-shaped body, they are usually brown or grayish-brown, giving them a stockier appearance.

Host Plants/Diet

Boxelder Bugs: Their diet primarily consists of sap from boxelder trees, and occasionally maples and ash trees. They typically do not cause significant damage to the trees themselves.
Stink Bugs: As significant agricultural pests, they have a diverse diet, feeding on a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants, frequently leading to substantial crop damage.

Odor

Boxelder Bugs: When crushed, they may emit a mild, unpleasant odor, but it is generally less potent and noticeable than a stink bug’s smell. Their primary nuisance stems from their sheer numbers.
Stink Bugs: Renowned for releasing a powerful, offensive “stink” (often likened to cilantro or sulfur) when threatened or crushed, this serves as their main defense mechanism.

How to Get Rid of Boxelder Bugs in Your House

Dealing with boxelder bugs can be frustrating, especially when they appear in large numbers. For minor issues, such as a few stray bugs, you might manage them by simply sweeping them into a dustpan for outdoor release or using a vacuum with a hose extender to suck them up. If you crush them, they may leave a reddish-brown stain and release a mildly unpleasant odor, similar to stink bugs but not as potent.

If you’re dealing with a significant boxelder bug infestation, where swarms are congregating on your home’s exterior or continually finding their way inside, we recommend professional help. The number of insects makes DIY efforts impractical, and at this point, they may be overwintering within your home.

At Bug Out, we understand the unique challenge boxelder bugs pose to your peace of mind. Our solutions go beyond immediate removal, focusing on preventing future infestations through targeted strategies. Don’t let these persistent seasonal pests take over your home – call us today for a free estimate on boxelder bug extermination services in North Carolina.

Bug Out Reviews

Have used this pest control service for several years. Very rarely have an insect problem, but when I do, Bug Out comes immediately and addresses the issue! They have helped with ground wasps, pantry moths, sink flies, pantry moths, field mice, and roaches as needed over several years. As my regular ongoing service, they are also great. Highly recommend.

– Jody H.