It’s never fun to discover that unwelcome pests have invaded your home. Boxelder bugs, in particular, can be a real nuisance as they crawl across windows and surfaces throughout the house.
Unfortunately, due to their preference for warm climates and sweet sap from box elders and other trees on your property, these bugs often make the West Valley area they’re home during certain parts of the year.
Proper pest control is necessary to keep them at bay, but you don’t need to rush out and purchase harsh chemicals!
Effective prevention through simple methods like sealing off potential entryways to your home or staying aware of any signs that may suggest an infestation will go a long way towards avoiding future problems with boxelder bugs inside or around your living space.
Identify Boxelder Bugs: Become familiar with the appearance and habitat of boxelder bugs.
Boxelder bugs are familiar to many West Valley homeowners, but you may not know much about them beyond their distinctive red and black coloring. These insects are actually part of the true bug family and can be found throughout much of North America.
While they don’t pose a threat to humans and generally don’t cause significant damage to gardens or crops, their presence can be a nuisance. The bugs are attracted to boxelder and maple trees and will seek shelter indoors during the colder months.
Seal Opening
Your home is your sanctuary; the last thing you want is for uninvited guests to intrude. Sealing up any potential entry points is one of the best ways to ensure your home stays pest-free. Cracks, crevices, and gaps around windows or screens are common culprits that can invite unwanted spiders, rodents, or insects.
Don’t let these tiny openings make your life miserable. Take the time to inspect your home and seal any areas that you find. Doing so will safeguard your home and give you peace of mind, knowing that you’ve taken the necessary steps to protect your home and loved ones.
Use Cleanliness Practices
Insects can be a nuisance, especially when they invade your home. One such common pest is the boxelder bug, which tends to gather outside before migrating indoors during the colder months.
Practicing good sanitation is important to ward off these pesky bugs by keeping your outdoor areas free of debris like woodpiles, leaves, and other objects. These items act as magnets for boxelder bugs, so keeping them at bay can decrease the chance of their invasion.
Plant insect-repelling plants
Box elder bugs can be a serious annoyance when they invade your home. Fortunately, there are ways to keep them at bay without resorting to chemical insecticides.
Planting insect-repelling plants such as lavender, chrysanthemums, rosemary, mint, and marigolds around your home can help deter these pesky bugs.
Not only do these plants look attractive, but they also have the natural ability to ward off insects. So, why not invest in some beautiful plants that will add beauty to your garden and help keep your home bug-free?
Utilize Chemical Treatments
Pesky pests can be a real nuisance when they invade our homes. While many of us prefer natural and non-toxic methods to keep them at bay, sometimes those methods just don’t cut it.
If other pest control methods fail to provide adequate protection, it may be time to consider chemical treatments.
Products containing pyrethrin or cyfluthrin can be applied to exterior walls as a last resort. These treatments are designed to eliminate a variety of pests, from spiders to roaches, and can provide long-lasting protection.
Monitor For Infestation
As homeowners, keeping pests at bay is always at the forefront of our minds. But sometimes these little critters can be sneaky and make their way into our homes without being detected.
That’s why it’s important to stay vigilant and monitor for signs of an infestation. One key way to do this is by keeping an eye out for eggs on the leaves of nearby trees or box elder bug droppings on siding or window frames.
By catching an infestation early, you can avoid more costly and time-consuming measures down the line.
In summary, boxelder bugs can be a nuisance around your home, and it is important to take preventative steps to reduce their presence. Start by becoming familiar with the appearance and habitat of boxelder bugs to identify them better.
Make sure to seal up any potential entry points in your home, practice good cleanliness around outdoor areas of your home, plant insect-repelling plants, and utilize chemical treatments for added protection if needed.
Most importantly, monitor for signs of an infestation so that you can take swift action to remove them. These simple tips help protect your home from box elder bugs and restore balance within your property.
