Boxelder bugs are known as nuisance pests that usually congregate in people’s houses as the temperatures begin to drop in the fall and spring. Characteristically known for their black and red color, boxelder bugs emit a foul odor and may leave stains on walls and furniture when crashed. This foul odor acts as a defense mechanism against predators and also attracts other boxelder bugs to the location that has been found to be conducive as an overwinter shelter.
Although they rarely cause any harm to humans, boxelder bugs in the house become a bother due to their irritating foul smell and large numbers. They are known to increase in number in a relatively short amount of time after emerging from their overwinter sheltering areas. One should expect to find the first batch of nymphs after approximately eleven to nineteen days from the day you first notice their congregation.
It is worth noting that one should not wait until it is no longer hot to get rid of boxelder bugs. Waiting too long will make it harder to control the bugs because once the they begin to flock in a particular area, they will attract an even larger number of their kind through their smell. It is always wise to take the offensive and attack the bugs that emerge during the fall and prevent them from becoming part of the spring boxelder bug menace.
It is recommended that one locate all the areas in the house that the bugs gather and begin to vacuum the already congregated bugs. Usually these are crevices and cracks that are hard to reach and offer the boxelder bugs a secure and safe overwinter shelter. It is imperative that all these areas are sealed off in order to keep the boxelder bugs out of the house. Although it is a good preventative measure that keeps the bugs out, only sealing off the crevices cannot ensure that the hugs will permanently stop invading your house seeking a warm shelter for breeding.
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Q      : I have box elder bugs all over my porch door and porch what do I use I’m going to have a baby and want to be able to go out on my porch.

A       : We have a liquid concentrated insecticide called Masterline Bifenthrin which would be a good product to use for your box elder bug treatment. Please note that masterline has a delay kill effect. Therefore once they come in contact with the insecticide they will not die right away. Instead it gives them enough time to take the poison back to the initial source of the infestation such as their nesting area and helps to eliminate even the ones that you do not see. Since you did mention your pregnancy, I strongly advise that you speak with your doctor before preceding any further chemical treatment.

 New FenvaStar EcoCap

Question : I have boxelder bugs outside primarily. in the yard, on the walls, on the trees, and neighbors yard, etc. What should I do?

Answer: We have a product called FenvaStar EcoCap that you can use for perimeter treatment around your home or as a broadcast treatment outdoors only. You can use FenvaStar EcoCap for both indoors and outdoors however when using this product indoors we only recommend that you spray in areas such as baseboards, cracks, crevices, window and door frames, etc.

FenvaStar EcoCap

Q: There are Box Elder Bugs all over two sides of my stucco house and its hard not to open the door and not let them fly in.

A: Since it seems like you have a rather large box elder bug infestation, we would recommend you purchase one of our control kits.

We have two kits available:

Box Elder Bug Control Kit

Beetles & Stink Bugs Control Kit

What do you reccomend for getting rid of box elder bugs? I have hundreds of box elders getting into my basement on the sunny side of the house. My house is sealed very tight and I don’t know how they are getting in. I vaccum them all the time. Ever since I put a light gray vinyl siding on the house, they seem attracted to it. They just pile up.

 FenvaStar EcoCap