Boxelder bugs, or Boisea trivittatus, are ordinary pests to many people. They’re usually not seen inside throughout summer time, but frequently can turn into a problem when they make their way into homes during the fall as they search out a warm place to live. Boxelder bugs typically only pose a problem when they infest a home, where in some cases hundreds of bugs can be found. While they do not bite and are not poisonous, they can mark surfaces, draperies and other areas with their excrement and are generally unpleasant to deal with.
Box elder bugs hibernate during the winter and come out during spring as weather conditions begin to heat up. Adult bugs feed on low plants and seeds during the spring and early summer. In some cases they will also feed on maple or ash trees but they do not damage the trees in any way. Their mating cycle begins shortly after they emerge for the winter – typically within two to three weeks after they begin feeding.
While boxelder bugs live outdoors during the spring and summer, when the temperatures begin to drop in the fall they will begin searching for a place to hibernate for the winter. Adult boxelder bugs can live through the winter into the spring in order to reproduce again. They typically look for an indoor hibernation spot within a few blocks of their feeding and breeding ground but in some cases they will travel as many as two miles to find the perfect spot.
There are several factors that make a home particularly appealing to boxelder bugs. Typically they look for warmer areas with more sunlight. A home with a substantial southern or western coverage is likely to be more appealing and they also tend to seek out the highest buildings around. There is no evidence that the color of a building makes a difference to boxelder bugs.
As summer turns into fall and the temperatures begin to drop, box elder bugs will look for cracks around the foundation of the home or they may attempt to enter the home through cracks or an opening in a window. These bugs will stay active until the temperature goes down and it’s time to hibernate for the winter. Keep in mind that boxelder bugs are masterful at hiding and will often take up residence in walls, attics and similar locations. As a result, if you see just a few of these bugs in your home, there’s a good chance that there are many more hidden where you can’t see them.
Boxelder bugs do not reproduce inside the home, but once the temperatures begin to rise in the spring, the surviving bugs will become active and search for a way out. Once they escape they will find seeds to feed upon and will begin the breeding cycle all over again. The best way to prevent an infestation in your home is to eradicate the population before they begin seeking a place for hibernation.