Wacky Pest Wednesday: Boxelder Bugs

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Happy Wednesday to all you Tri-County Pest Control fans out there, and welcome to our latest edition of Wacky Pest Wednesday.  Please join us in our latest edition, as we tell you some fun facts about the boxelder bug!

In these colder months (which today certainly feels like!) you’re more likely to see boxelder bugs come around.  These critters are small, black and orange bugs that are trying their best to find some shelter to wait out the cold weather.  They look really cool, but they are terrified of humans, so no need to worry if you see one crawl around your porch. However, boxelder bugs are rather sociable, and so when there’s one there’s most likely a few more not far away.

Boxelder bugs get their name from the thing that they can most likely be found in: the boxelder tree.  These critters have a ferocious appetite for the seeds of the young boxelder tree but are more than happy to expand their palate and chow down on some ash or maple. If you know you have these types of trees in your yard, then be prepared to see more of these critters as they will try to burrow into the tree to hunker down for the winter.

Did you know that boxelder bugs are in the same family as the stink bug?  While the two don’t necessarily look alike (boxelder bugs are a whole lot more colorful) they both can emit a really pungent odor if they feel threatened.  That being said, take care not to step on these bugs, as just like with the stink bug, you’ll smell your mistake the second your shoe hits the ground. Another word of caution: unlike the stink bug, boxelder bugs are known to bite if you pick them up, so be sure to not put them in your hand!

The colorful boxelder bugs become more and more of a threat when the weather gets colder, so stay vigilant.  Should you spot a couple in your home, break out the vacuum cleaner and suck them up. However, a whole grouping of these critters may require more specialized attention, so don’t hesitate to reach out to us!  We’ll be there in no time to take care of the infestation for good.

Happy Wednesday!

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