Boxelder bugs are a nuisance in both the spring and fall, often appearing in large numbers as temperatures change. While these red and black crawling bugs aren’t dangerous, they can quickly become overwhelming when they gather around your home.
If you’re dealing with a boxelder bug infestation, don’t worry—Plunkett’s can help. Below, you’ll find practical tips to get rid of boxelder bugs and keep them from coming back.
What Are Boxelder Bugs?
Boxelder bugs are common nuisance pests often mistaken for beetles, especially when homeowners spot small orange and black bugs gathering around their home. Despite the confusion, they’re actually part of the “true bug” family—not beetles.
These insects are typically dark brown or black with distinct reddish-orange markings along their wings. They’re most often found on boxelder, maple, and ash trees, where they feed and gather in large numbers.
If you’ve noticed black and red bugs showing up around your home—especially in the spring or fall—there’s a good chance you’re dealing with boxelder bugs looking for warmth or shelter.
Boxelder Bugs Congregating on Boxelder Tree
The Boxelder Bug Life Cycle
Boxelder bugs go through three stages of development:
- Egg
- Nymph (bright red in early stages)
- Adult
Adults can live for several months and often overwinter inside structures, becoming active again when temperatures rise.
Boxelder Bugs Congregating Near Window
What Attracts Boxelder Bugs?
Boxelder bugs are drawn to warmth, sunlight, and food sources near your home. You’re more likely to see them if your property has:
- Boxelder, maple, or ash trees
- Seed pods (“helicopters”) on the ground
- Light-colored or sun-exposed siding
- Cracks and gaps that trap heat
These conditions make your home an ideal place for boxelder bugs to gather—especially in the fall when they’re looking for shelter.
How to Get Rid of Boxelder Bugs
Getting rid of a boxelder bug infestation doesn’t have to be complicated. Follow these tips to keep irritating red and black bugs away from your space:
1. Spray Boxelder Bugs with Dish Soap
To make your own boxelder bug spray, mix a tablespoon of dish soap into a spray bottle of water. As you find large groups of boxelder bugs clustered together, spray them with the mixture. You’ll kill boxelder bugs by saturating them fully with the water and dish soap mixture.
Spray the congregation of bugs until they disperse. Then, carefully scoop up and dispose of any bugs you’ve killed. Be careful not to crush them—when crushed, boxelder bugs release an unpleasant odor. In fact, their scent is why adult boxelder bugs don’t have many predators—their taste is just as bad as their smell. Spiders, for example, may eat a boxelder bug in a pinch, but it’s not their first choice of cuisine.
2. Clean Large Surfaces with Dish Soap
Boxelder bugs like to congregate on heat-reflective surfaces where they can soak up warmth. Once they’ve gathered on the exterior of a building, they can often find their way inside. To keep these bugs from hanging out on your home or business, spray or scrub down their perches with soapy water or scented cleaning solution.
Boxelder Bugs Gathering on Home
Using a cleaning solution helps repel these small orange and black bugs and prevents them from returning. When you crush them, the foul-smelling liquid actually attracts other bugs. Scrubbing and cleaning the problem area washes away the pheromones along with the unpleasant boxelder bug smell.
3. Vacuum Up the Boxelder Bugs
Vacuuming up boxelder bugs as soon as you notice them will help keep them away. After you’ve sucked up the bugs, throw out the vacuum bag right away. Otherwise you’ll see the determined bugs crawl right out. Clean up the areas where you vacuumed with soapy water immediately after removing the boxelder bugs.
Vacuuming Up Boxelder Bugs to Prevent Future Infestations
4. Seal Up Doors and Windows
As boxelder bugs bunch up together, they push each other into gaps and cracks around their perches. Once they’re inside these gaps, they follow heat until they’re inside the building. To keep boxelder bugs out, seal gaps around your windows and door frames with caulk. Do the same for any openings you see along siding or the foundation of your home.
Sealing Up Window to Keep Boxelder Bugs from Entering Home
5. Seal or Replace Ill-Fitting Electrical Cover Plates
Boxelder bugs are attracted to heat, so they frequently end up in electrical outlets, switch boxes, heating ducts, or return air vents. Their flat bodies allow them to squeeze under plates that are loose or even slightly out of place.
Removing and Replacing Ill-Fitting Electrical Cover Plates to Keep Boxelder Bugs Out
6. Remove or Trim Boxelder Trees
Seed-producing boxelder trees are what attract boxelder bugs. If you have a tree on your property that produces those little “helicopter” seed pods, then it’s likely attracting boxelder bugs. Removing the tree will substantially reduce the number of boxelders around your home.
Boxelder Tree Leaves & Seeds
If you can’t or don’t want to remove the tree, consider trimming it regularly instead. Mow or rake up seed pods as they fall as much as possible. The less comfortable boxelders feel in your yard, the less they’ll want to stick around.
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Schedule a Service with Plunkett’s to Get Rid of Boxelder Bugs
If you’ve got boxelder bugs in or on your house and you’ve tried the tips above and nothing seems to work, we can help. Plunkett’s offers boxelder bug control and removal from homes and businesses.
For the best results, have your pest control technician spray for boxelder bugs in the springtime and at the beginning of fall, for a boxelder bug-free house. Get in touch with Plunkett’s today or fill out the service request form below to get and keep boxelder bugs out.
