How to Keep Boxelder Bugs From Getting Inside Your Waukesha Home

Fall is the time to try out new soup recipes and carve pumpkins, but it also means it’s time for boxelder bugs to start finding warm shelter for the winter. These bugs don’t harm humans, but they are quite a nuisance to homes in Waukesha as they emit an odor when squished and can leave stains on upholstery and carpets. If you want to control boxelder bugs in Waukesha WI, it’s important to understand what they are, why they want to invade your home in the fall, and how to keep them out.

What are boxelder bugs?

Boxelder bugs are named after the boxelder tree. These trees serve as their home in the warmer months, as they feed on their seeds, leaves, and twigs and lay eggs as well. They also feed on maple and ash trees. All of these trees are very common in Waukesha and the Milwaukee area, which means they are likely to end up in your backyard. They are easy to spot as they have a distinctive black, oval-shaped body with red or orange lines and red eyes. You may also notice that during peak seasons, they congregate on south- or west-facing exterior walls.

Why do boxelder bugs come out in the fall?

Boxelder bugs have a pretty consistent life cycle consistent with the seasons. In the spring, the adults come out of hibernation and start looking for trees to eat and begin mating and laying eggs. In the summer, these eggs hatch and the bright-red nymphs start feeding and growing. In the fall, the adults start looking for a place to hibernate over the winter, but they will first seek out heat on sun-facing exterior walls, which is why you could see large numbers of them all around your house. If there are any entry points for them into the cozy warmth of your home, they will take advantage of this and come inside. Not only will they come inside, but they will also release pheromones for other boxelder bugs to join them if they find a good spot! This can be quite a nuisance for residents of Waukesha.

How to keep boxelder bugs out of your home

Boxelder bugs are looking for any opportunity to come inside the warmth of your home. They can squeeze into spaces as small as an eighth of an inch, so checking for any entry points is important. Check your window and door screens and replace any that have holes or rips. Seal or caulk any gaps around windows, doors, and pipes. Inspect your siding and foundation and seal up any problem areas. Make sure any doors leading outside have a doorsweep. In your hard, keep debris picked up and be sure to trim back your boxelder, maple, and ash trees especially. If you are seeing particularly large numbers of boxelder bugs, you may want to consider removing these trees from your yard or at least from the immediate perimeter of your house. If you find boxelder bugs inside, don’t crush them as they can leave a stain and odor. Use a vacuum and discard them immediately before they escape and attract more bugs inside.

Waukesha WI Boxelder Bug Control

After trying these steps to keep boxelder bugs out of your home, you may find that you still need help. Mosquito Squad Plus of Waukesha County and Milwaukee North Shore understands the importance of controlling boxelder bugs during peak season, and in the places they tend to congregate and swarm. We will inspect your property for problem areas and target accordingly. Call us at (262) 333-0395 or contact us for a free, no-obligation quote!