Andre CampbellThough they do not cause significant damage to plants, boxelder bugs can quickly become a nuisance for some homeowners [1].
They may invade homes and other indoor spaces in large numbers, and their feces may stain light surfaces.
Identification
Adult boxelder bugs, also called maple bugs, are about 1/2 inch long. They are black with bright orange or red lines across their wings [2].
Young boxelder bugs are bright red and become darker as they grow. They are most often found on boxelder, maple, and ash trees.
Boxelder bugs are active from spring through fall. In late summer and fall, they gather on sunny walls before looking for places to spend the winter.
These bugs don’t bite, sting, or spread diseases. However, when large numbers gather around homes, they can become a nuisance.
How to Get Rid of Boxelder Bugs Naturally
Below, we will discuss how to prevent or keep boxelder bug infestations at bay using home remedies and natural control methods.
1. Soap Spray
A mixture of dish soap and water makes an effective home remedy for boxelder bugs.
If you spray soapy water directly onto these bugs, they will suffocate and die.
Therefore, make a homemade boxelder bug spray by mixing four tablespoons of dish soap with a gallon of water.
Some people use Dawn dish soap, but use only a mild liquid dish soap. Avoid products with bleach, degreasers, or antibacterial ingredients if spraying around plants.
Shake the solution well, then spray it directly onto the bugs. The bugs should die shortly after direct contact.
2. Horticultural Oils
Horticultural oils work by coating insects and eggs. This can kill young bugs and reduce the number of eggs that hatch.
Spray the bugs or egg clusters directly for the best results. Follow the instructions on the label for proper use.
3. Vacuum Them
If you find a large group of these pests inside your house, the quickest action is to vacuum them up. Next, empty the vacuum bag or canister into a sealed trash bag and throw it away.
However, avoid squashing the bugs, as they release a terrible odor when crushed.
4. Sticky Trap
Another boxelder bug control home remedy is to hang sticky traps.
You can use sticky traps near doors, windows, and other places where boxelder bugs gather. The bugs become stuck when they crawl across the trap.
Hang the sticky traps in trees or other areas near your house. Remove and replace the traps frequently.
You can also make a homemade boxelder bug trap using pieces of cardboard and a sticky substance, such as petroleum jelly.
Use the sticky substance to coat both sides of the cardboard.
Next, place your DIY traps at entry points around the house. The bugs will get stuck on them if they try to crawl over them.
5. Vinegar
Some homeowners use vinegar to discourage boxelder bugs from gathering around doors and windows. While it may help for a short time, there is little scientific proof that it works as a long-term repellent.
To give it a try, combine the vinegar with water in a 50/50 ratio. Spray it directly on the bugs.
You can use any vinegar. However, white vinegar is most commonly used.
6. Garden Hose
Boxelder bugs found in large groups on trees can be sprayed away with a garden hose.
Hosing them down with a strong jet of water will encourage them to go elsewhere. Though this will not kill them, it will help reduce their numbers.
7. Seal Doors and Windows
As the fall and winter months approach, you may find more and more boxelder bugs congregating around and inside your home.
They squeeze through tiny cracks and gaps to get inside your home. To tackle this, brush off the bugs or vacuum them away, and seal up the gaps in your home.
8. Trim Female Boxelder Trees
These bugs primarily feed on the seeds, leaves, and flowers of female boxelder trees [3].
Therefore, trimming the branches of those trees will help reduce the number of boxelder bugs coming around.
Cutting down the female boxelder trees is another, albeit drastic, solution to help keep boxelder bugs away.
9. Rake Up Fallen Seeds and Seed Pods of the Boxelder Tree
Another way to get rid of boxelder bugs organically is to rake up fallen seeds and seed pods around boxelder trees. These are the primary food sources for these bugs.
Rake up fallen seeds and seed pods. This removes one of their favorite food sources and helps keep them away.
10. Hot Water
Hot water can kill boxelder bugs on contact. However, it can also burn plants and damage grass, so use it with care and only where it will not harm other living things.
11. Neem Oil
This oil, derived from neem seeds, is recognized as a potent natural pesticide. Neem oil may help reduce boxelder bug numbers when sprayed directly on the bugs.
Use it to make a homemade neem oil spray for boxelder bugs.
Just combine two tablespoons of neem oil with a gallon of water. Next, add it to a sprayer and spray all areas where these bugs tend to congregate.
Alternatively, you can buy ready-to-use neem oil concentrate.
12. Essential Oils
Strong-smelling oils such as peppermint, tea tree, cinnamon, and eucalyptus may help discourage boxelder bugs from entering your home. However, results vary.
For the recipe, add 50 drops of your chosen essential oil to 1 cup of water and shake well. Finally, it can be used to spray entryways to repel boxelder bugs.
13. Diatomaceous Earth (DE)
Use diatomaceous earth around the base of affected trees to help get rid of boxelder bugs outside. You can also use food-grade DE for indoor bugs.
Diatomaceous earth damages the protective outer coating of insects. They slowly dry out and die.
Repeat the application after it rains.
14. Monterey Fruit Tree Spray
This organic insecticide can keep these black bugs with orange or red markings out of your home garden.
Monterey contains pyrethrins and neem oil. Both ingredients are effective against a wide range of insect pest infestations.
Spray it on the trunk, lower branches, and areas where the bugs gather. Always follow the directions on the product label before using it.
15. Attract Predators
Some birds, praying mantises, spiders, and assassin bugs sometimes feed on boxelder bugs. However, while natural predators can help a little, they usually cannot control a large infestation on their own.
16. ECOWORKS EC
This OMRI-listed pesticide is effective against a wide range of garden and yard insect pests.
You can use ECOWORKS EC to kill boxelder bugs. Follow the instructions on the package.
Prevention Tip
Remove piles of leaves, firewood, and other yard debris from around your home. These places give boxelder bugs somewhere to hide before they move indoors.
Takeaway
Boxelder bugs rarely harm healthy plants, but they can become a major nuisance when they gather in large numbers.
Using simple methods like sealing entry points, removing seed pods, vacuuming indoor bugs, and applying natural sprays can help keep their numbers under control.
Starting early, before they move indoors in the fall, usually gives the best results.
Sasha Campbell
Add comment