They can be, especially when nearby trees provide food and the home offers warm, sunny surfaces for fall gathering.
Boxelder bugs spend most of their time outdoors. In fact, they draw their name from boxelder trees where they spend a lot of time, although they’re also fans of maples and other plants too. That means a Grand Rapids home with a lot of nearby trees may very well have more boxelder bugs than others in the area.
The trees are only part of the story. As fall temperatures drop, adult boxelder bugs often gather on warm exterior surfaces before looking for places to spend winter. Boxelder bugs tend to gather more heavily on sun-warmed walls even when the nearest host tree is a good distance away.
Once boxelder bugs start massing on the house, small exterior gaps matter more than the trees themselves. Cracks around windows, doors, siding, soffits, vents, utilities, and other seams can lead into wall voids or other protected spaces. Bugs that make it inside may remain mostly hidden until indoor heat or a winter warm spell causes them to become active again.
If you find one side of your home repeatedly attracts boxelder bugs, take a look at your landscaping and the structure itself. Nearby trees might help explain why they’re present. But sun exposure and exterior openings into your home can explain why they gather on your wall in particular. This is a lot more effective than immediately jumping to remove healthy trees. Your first practical step will be to seal gaps that let these bugs inside and to have a professional treat the surface to discourage their gathering.
If boxelder bugs are gathering around or entering your Grand Rapids home, Mosquito Squad of Grand Rapids can help with pest control around the property. Call (616) 920-8069 or request a free quote online.
