Boxelder Bug Identification and Property Tips

Boxelder bugs often gather on sunny exterior walls before seeking shelter as temperatures cool. Large numbers can be frustrating even when the insects are mainly a nuisance.

Identification and habits

Adults are dark with reddish markings. They may shelter in wall spaces and appear indoors during warmer periods. Their presence does not mean they are feeding on the structure or that the house has an indoor breeding infestation.

What to do at your property

Repair screens and accessible gaps before seasonal activity increases. Remove occasional indoor insects with a vacuum and dispose of the contents promptly; crushing them can mark surfaces. Record the sides of the building where insects gather and ask whether exterior prevention is appropriate. Repeated indoor appearances should prompt an entry assessment, not automatic spraying of every room.

Photograph the pest clearly and note where and when it appeared. Ask Plank about identification and whether inspection, prevention or selected treatment is appropriate. The service scope and any follow-up are confirmed for your property.

Reference: University of Maryland Extension: boxelder bugs.

Request a free estimate or call 573-368-3333. Browse our service areas for nearby communities.

Photo: Robert Webster / xpda.com, eastern boxelder bug, CC BY-SA 4.0. Original image, unchanged.