Any Toronto resident must be familiar with the annual boxelder bug invasions. Although relatively small, these reddish-black insects become a problem during the winter when they decide to come inside. Due to their multitude, people have to fight with these creepy creatures, even though they do not threaten human health or cause significant damage to houses. This blog post will help you know about boxelder bugs and their ways of infestation and explore helpful ways to prevent them.
What Are Boxelder Bugs?
Boisea trivittata, commonly known as the boxelder bug, is a small insect easily identified by its black body and distinct red markings. They are commonly found around ash, boxelder, and maple trees, which provide them with essential food sources. Although they primarily nest outdoors, boxelder bugs often seek shelter indoors as temperatures drop toward the end of the year, gathering in large groups to hibernate.
Unlike other bugs, these insects do not sting people and pets and do not carry diseases, but their presence indoors can be rather inconvenient. They should be disposed of because they leave an awful smell and tend to stain if squashed.
Why Are Boxelder Bugs Attracted to Homes?
Due to their affinity for warmth, boxelder bugs start looking for a warm location to hibernate as fall turns to winter. Buildings with gaps, fissures, and other tiny spaces that let them in quickly appeal to these creatures. After entering, they frequently congregate in wall cavities, basements, and attics before going dormant until spring.
While boxelder bugs don’t harm structures, their presence can be annoying. Their simple existence may also draw other vermin, such as spiders, who feed on them, worsening the infestation.
How to Prevent a Boxelder Bug Infestation
Preventing boxelder bugs from ever entering your house is the most accessible approach to managing them. The following advice can assist you in lowering the likelihood of an infestation:
- Seal Entry Points: Examine any cracks, gaps, or holes around your house’s windows, doors, siding, or utility pipes. Abrasive materials and sealants, such as caulk or weather stripping, can be tightened to eliminate openings.
- Install Screens: Ensure the screens in your vents, doors, and windows are in good shape and appropriately screened. Boxelder bugs require frequent exterior home upkeep and inspection due to their ability to fit through small openings.
- Trim Vegetation: Trees and plants near your home attract boxelder bugs, especially if boxelder trees are nearby. To reduce these insects’ habitat, consider pruning or eliminating trees that are known to house them and maintaining other plants.
How to Get Rid of Boxelder Bugs
You need to take rapid action to stop the infestation from worsening if preventative methods don’t work and you find yourself infested by boxelder bugs. Here are many approaches to solving the issue:
- Vacuuming: A vacuum is the simplest method for eliminating boxelder bugs from your house. It lets you remove them without smashing them up and leaving stains behind. To stop the pests from returning, empty the vacuum bag or canister outside.
- Soap and Water Solution: Soapy water is an effective way to eliminate boxelder pests. Apply a direct mist of water and dish soap to the insects. The soapy water will disrupt and destroy the cell membranes without using any dangerous chemicals.
- Outdoor Control: If you see a lot of boxelder bugs gathered outside your house, you may use a hose to spray a powerful stream of water to eradicate them. As a result, they will come off of walls and other surfaces. Removing nearby host plants, such as boxelder trees, might lower their number.
Professional Pest Control Solutions
Although DIY techniques might be beneficial, professional aid might be necessary to handle a significant boxelder insect infestation. Pest management experts know this area well and are well-equipped to eradicate these pests and avoid recurrence.
Toronto residents may be infested with boxelder bugs and thus might need the services of a proper pest control company. GTA Toronto Pest Control advises homeowners on dealing with boxelder bugs and other pests. Our professionals comprehensively inspect your house, locate access ways, and apply focused treatments to eliminate the infestation.
Why Choose GTA Toronto Pest Control?
GTA Toronto Pest Control specializes in providing complete pest control solutions, including customized treatments to suit particular pest issues Toronto homeowners face. Our experienced professionals use environmentally friendly techniques to eliminate boxelder bugs, guaranteeing your family’s safety and efficiently eliminating the infestation.
The following are some reasons to choose our services:
- Expertise: We have a talented team of professionals with ample experience and an understanding of boxelder bugs’ behaviour and development phase, thus offering personalized services.
- Eco-Friendly Solutions: We use safe, long-lasting therapies while minimizing environmental side effects.
- Preventive Plans: We help our clients eradicate all existing pests and adopt preventive measures to ensure pests do not return in the future.
Conclusion
Having a few boxelder bugs indoors is common, but a large number can quickly become a nuisance. Fortunately, with the right precautions and professional pest control services, they can be managed and eliminated effectively. Key steps to preventing boxelder bug infestations include maintaining your home’s exterior and securing potential entry points. For optimal results in keeping these pests out, consider consulting a pest control expert.
GTA Toronto Pest Control offers managed pest control solutions to guarantee that bugs do not seasonally invade homes. Schedule your appointment today.
