Box elder bugs are tiny reddish insects with black stripes that invade people’s homes and backyard during spring and fall. While the bugs are harmless, they can be quite a nuisance. The good news is that they can be easily controlled by using pesticides. Of course before you begin to spray, you must be sure you’re choosing the best pesticide for your needs.
If you find box elder bugs inside your home, the simplest solution is to grab your vacuum and trap the bugs you see. However, keep in mind that the few bugs you see are likely just the tip of the iceberg. To get rid of them for good, you must get rid of their colonies. These bugs typically live outdoors during warmer months but as the temperatures begin to drop, they’ll seek out anywhere to stay warm – including your home. They can easily fill a property in just a few weeks so it’s important to treat your home at the very first sign of an infestation.
The most important factor to look for in a pesticide is safety. Not all pesticides are made to be used indoors. If you have pets, be sure that any pesticide you use – whether indoors or outdoors – is safe to be used around pets. People with gardens should also look for a natural, non-toxic pesticide that won’t harm their plants. Always check to ensure that the pesticide you choose is made specifically to control box elder bugs. For example, ant spray will not be effective on these types of bugs.
Eliminating an outdoor box elder bug population is typically most easily achieved in the spring months when the bugs begin to build their colonies. If you spot a few around your property, it’s likely they’re making their home in your foundation or other crevices. When you find their colony you can spray it with any number of box elder bug pesticides, including permethrin, cyhalothrin and cyfulthrin. Box elder bug pesticides can be found in local stores or can be purchased online. In addition to spraying their colony, spray around the periphery of the building to prevent the surviving bugs from creating a new colony.
The inside of your home should only be sprayed if there is an interior infestation. This typically only happens in the fall as the boxelder bugs look for a warmer area to live throughout the winter. If you’re sure to handle exterior infestations before fall, it’s unlikely that you’ll have them in your home at all. However, if you do have bugs in the home, purchase a pesticide made for interior use, remove pets or children from the home and follow the directions on the pesticide.
In some extreme cases it may be necessary to call an exterminator. This will typically only be the case if you can’t locate their colony or if you’ve treated the bugs yourself and they continue to stick around. However, in most cases an organic, non-toxic pesticide will get rid of box elder bugs quickly.