If you are seeing lots of red bugs around your home, you have an infestation of boxelder bugs, which are easily recognizable because of their distinctive coloration. The boxelder bug is about l/2 in. long and 1/6 in. wide. It is black with three red lines on the thorax (body), a red line along each side, and a diagonal red line on each wing. The wings lie flat on the back when at rest. The boxelder bug can be found from spring to fall, but is especially prevalent in the late summer.
Boxelder bugs normally feed on leaves, flowers and seed pods of boxelder trees and other trees of the maple family, particularly the silver maple, but cause little actual damage to the trees. They can, however, number in the thousands in some areas where they congregate, such as host trees where they feed, or on the sun-exposed areas of buildings.
Overwintering bugs lay eggs in the spring. Small reddish nymphs hatch from these eggs and develop into adults during the summer. The adults mate soon after reaching maturity, and the females lay eggs for the second-generation of bugs.
These nymphs mature in August and September and cause concern to homeowners by congregating in large numbers on trunks of host trees. The greatest congregation of these pests is usually during the fall, although this year because of the mild winter, they have been observed in great numbers at this time of the year.
The adult bugs congregate on the south side of structures and then enter in search of winter hibernation quarters. They hide in small cracks and crevices in the attic, walls, doors and window casings. They may also hide under siding and under trash around the foundations of the home and even in leaves left in gutters.
During warm winter days and in early spring, they are a nuisance as they crawl or fly in the home. They produce no odor, nor do they damage or injure wood, cloth, fruits, vegetables, humans or other animals, but they can be a major problem because of their great numbers.
The boxelder tree is the chief source of food for boxelder bugs, but they can be found on silver maples and even in areas where neither of these trees are located. To help prevent infestation, it might be prudent to remove these trees, especially the female or seed-bearing trees.
Other preventative measures will stop a buildup of these pests, and the following are some suggestions that will be of help in eliminating them from around your home:
1. Place screen wire inside the vents in the attic and eaves.
2. Repair and caulk places where bugs may enter the home, such as cracks around doors, windows and siding and in the foundation.
3. Eliminate hiding places, such as piles of rocks, boards, leaves and general debris close to the home.
4. Rake leaves, weeds and grass from a strip 6 to 10 feet wide around the foundation, particularly on the south and west sides of the structure. Such a barrier
strip discourages congregation of bugs near the foundation.When concentrations of boxelder bugs are seen on trunks of trees, on foundations and sides of a building, apply an insecticide directly on the bugs and on the area where they are congregating.
If you will follow the above suggestions to eliminate a favorable environment for the boxelder bug, you won't be bothered with this annoying pest.