Like many insects, stink bugs and boxelder bugs seek shelter when the season changes from summer to fall. Typically during spring and summer months, stink bugs and boxelder bugs spend their time outdoors. Often high in tree tops, away from normal human activity. It’s the drop in temperatures that the fall season brings that start these insects looking for warmth and shelter to ride the winter out.
What do Stink Bugs and Boxelder Bugs look like?
- Stink Bugs: The most common of these bugs here in the US is the Halyomorpha halys (brown marmorated stink bug), and the Acrosternum hilare (green stink bug). Their backs look like shields, and they can blend easily within foliage. If threatened, these bugs release an odor.
- Boxelder Bugs: Boxelder bugs have red markings with deep brown bodies. They also release a strong odor when threatened. These bugs prefer to feed and live in boxelder, ash, and maple trees. They will also infest trees or plants with plums, grapes, pears, peaches, cherries, apples, and almonds.
Why are they trying to get into my home?
Come September and October, as the cooler weather draws near, diligent pest control is advised to control these bugs. Adult stink and boxelder bugs will search for dry spaces in the crevices and cracks in walls, in the moldings around windows, cracks in house foundations. As the weather turns colder, these bugs will seek out any crack and crevice. This is to gain access to the warmth of there interior of your home.
Stink and boxelder bugs also seek shelter in hollow tree trunks, under rocks, and under wood piles to live out the winter. If these bugs are evident in your home in the fall, come spring you’ll start seeing them again as the emerge from winter hiding to once again explore the outdoors.
How to Keep Stink Bugs & Boxelder Bugs Out of Your House
- Replace damaged window and door screens. Bugs can easily climb through holes and tears in the screening.
- Install new weather stripping and door sweeps. The tiny space under the door is a perfect entryway for a Box Elder or Stink Bug.
- Seal any cracks in your foundation with caulking.
- Trim back overhanging trees or overgrown bushes. These branches provide the perfect bridge for insects to get to your house.
- Use low-pressure sodium exterior lighting. The UV rays of incandescent lights attract bugs.
- Remove any Box Elder Trees on your property. These trees are where Box Elder Bugs like to eat, mate and lay their eggs.
Professional Help to Get Rid of Stink Bugs & Boxelder Bugs
Sometimes no matter what you do as a homeowner, stink and boxelder bugs will be a problem. Sealing up cracks around roof soffits, windows, siding, and foundation can go along ways in preventing these insects from invading the interior of your home. Another helpful and most times successful tactic is to enlist the help and expertise of an experienced pest control company in Omaha or Lincoln, NE. Pest control companies with experienced technicians can offer expert advice on controlling these bugs through an effective treatment plan to keep your home protected.
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