Boxelder bug control is an important part of pest control in Aiken, and today’s guide will provide strategies for both boxelder control and prevention.
We also have lots of great info on what these bugs look like and how they impact our homes so that you can make informed decisions about pest control for your home.
By the end, you’ll have a better idea of why these bugs are considered pests and what you can do to keep them away from your home.
Boxelder Bug Identification: Signs And Features To Look For
We begin with an essential question: what does a boxelder bug in Aiken look like?
There are a few key identifying features of the boxelder bug that you should look out for. In terms of size, expect an adult boxelder bug to be roughly a half-inch in length. They are black and orange or black and red, and they have a tapered oval shape.
As you might expect based on their name, boxelder bugs like to live on or near boxelder trees, but they can also be found on maple trees and other varieties that provide them with the resources they need.
As always, if you’re unsure of what type of pest you’re seeing, take a photo and compare it to online resources or show it to a pest control professional who can make the identification for you.
Boxelder Bug Problems: Understanding The Damage They Can Cause
Here’s an important question: are boxelder bugs harmful to your home or your family? Let’s tackle the second part of that question first.
In general, boxelder bugs are not dangerous for humans. That said, these pests can bite humans, but it’s a last resort for them, and they’re not known for spreading diseases or infections. As for whether or not boxelder bugs can damage your home, the answer is still mostly no, but there’s a caveat. Boxelder bug droppings can stain surfaces around your home, and you also might find them wandering around in busy areas. When crushed, boxelder bugs cause a very unpleasant smell, so it’s best to avoid stomping on them, even if you find them in an inconvenient location. Also, if you grow fruit in your backyard, there’s a chance that boxelder bugs will feed on the skins of these fruits, leading to minor damage.
Even so, boxelder bugs can still be annoying, especially inside the home, so it’s important to keep up with regular prevention efforts.
Shield Your Home From Boxelder Bugs: Practical Tips For Prevention
Moving on to prevention, here are some tips for how to keep boxelder bugs away, both now and long into the future:
- Close up any gaps in exterior walls, especially gaps around phone lines, pipes, electrical lines, etc.
- Check screens in windows, vents, and other openings and replace or repair any that are damaged.
- Use door sweeps on your doors, and also check the rubber seal on the bottom of your garage door.
- Trim tree branches and shrubs so that they’re not touching the exterior walls of your house.
Of course, these prevention tips are best suited to stopping a future infestation. If you currently have boxelder bugs in your home, then extermination is most likely the best option.
Boxelder Bug Extermination: How To Eliminate An Infestation
Lastly: boxelder bug removal. This is for anyone who’s already noticed a boxelder bug infestation in or near their home.
Professional home pest control services can efficiently and effectively remove boxelder bugs from your home using modern techniques, leaving your home clean and safe. If you’re looking for boxelder bug control in Aiken, then feel free to give us a call or message us online to learn more about what we do.