Published by Utah State University Extension and Utah Plant Pest Diagnostic Laboratory ENT-41-06 June 2010

Boxelder bug
Erin W. Hodgson Alan H. Roe
Extension Entomology Specialist Insect Diagnostician

What you should know

•Boxelder bugs are considered a nuisance pest, and
rarely cause economic, aesthetic or structural damage.

•Adults are commonly found on and in buildings

during August and September, especially the southern
exposure.

•Boxelder bugs can stain carpet and other fabrics.

•Homeowners can successfully manage boxelder bugs

without chemical control.

B
oxelder bugs are a common nuisance insect to
many homeowners. Although boxelder bugs are Fig. 2. Adult boxelder bug1
active throughout the summer, many people
don’t notice them until they start “sunning” themselves
on structures, particularly the southern-facing walls. As
temperatures start to decrease in the late summer and Description
fall, large numbers of adults will move from plants and
congregate on heated buildings. Immature and adult boxelder bugs are fluid feeders
with piercing-sucking mouthparts. Adult boxelder bugs
Boxelder bugs can feed and develop on many different are about 1/2 ″ long, flattened on top, elongate-oval in
kinds of plants, including maple, ash, stonefruits (cherry, shape, and predominately slate-gray to black in color
plum, peach), apple, grape, strawberry and grass. (Fig. 2). Three red lines run the length of the prothorax
However, large numbers are typically found on female (first segment with a pair of legs, attached to the base
boxelder trees where nymphs and adults feed on of the head), one on each side and one down the
developing seeds (Fig. 1). Boxelder bugs are not middle. The basal halves (from the point of attachment)
usually found on ornamental plants, but have been of the forewings are leathery in texture and are rimmed
known to damage fruiting trees during the late in red on all margins. The outer halves (wing tips) of
summer. Homeowners do not necessarily have to have the forewings and the hindwings are pliable, black
a boxelder tree to notice adults around the home membranes. The top of the abdomen is red with two
because they are mobile insects. rows of black spots. The underside of the abdomen is
alternately striped in red and
gray. The legs are black.

The immature nymphs are

wingless, but otherwise
generally resemble the
adults. When first hatched,
small nymphs are completely
red and sparsely covered
with short, bristly hairs (Fig.
3). Slate-colored or black
markings, particularly toward
the head, appear when they
are about half-grown. Large
nymphs have obvious wing
pads and black antennae
and legs (Fig. 1).
Fig. 3. Boxelder bug
Fig. 1. Mass grouping of immature boxelder bugs3 eggs and nymphs2
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UPPDL, 5305 Old Main Hill, Logan UT 84322-5305 T: 435.797.2435 F: 435.797.8197 www.utahpests.usu.edu

Life cycle Boxelder bug control

In the spring, overwintering adults emerge and fly to Boxelder bugs, particularly the nymphs, are easily
host plants where the females deposit small, red, oval drowned. Regular use of a garden hose to water-down
eggs on leaves, bark, or other surfaces. Eggs hatch in 10 congregations of bugs is very effective. Since many
to 14 days and nymphs begin feeding by sucking fluids homeowners regularly water their plants with a hose, this
from seeds, foliage, is a good time to wash boxelder bugs off of buildings.
twigs, or fruit. Nymphs
go through a series Boxelder bug populations can also be reduced by
of growth stages removal of female boxelder trees. As with the insecticide
with a shedding molt treatments, this is not likely to work unless only small
between each stage. numbers of trees are involved. This is a rather drastic
Eventually nymphs measure and is not generally recommended. The overall
reach the adult stage, value of the tree usually far outweighs the potential
mate, and produce benefit of reducing boxelder bugs.
a second generation
that summer. Boxelder bugs have few natural enemies. There are no
major insects or diseases that affect their populations,
The second generation adults are the overwintering and spiders are considered a minor predator. Birds fail
stage. Adult boxelder bugs prefer dry, sheltered areas. to feed upon them in any significant numbers, probably
They are found around the foundations and windows of due to the ability of the bugs to emit an offensive odor
buildings, or in leaves and other debris, under hedges, in (which undoubtedly makes them taste bad as well).
ditches, or similar places. Adults often become active on
warm winter days and emerge from their hiding places, Spraying nymphs and adults with a soap mixture can
returning to shelter as temperatures drop at the end of be used as an alternative to synthetic insecticides.
the day. Congregation of the bugs on surfaces has to Mix approximately ½ cup of a laundry detergent into
do with temperature, as the bugs prefer warm surfaces. one gallon of water and pour in a squirt bottle. Spray
For this reason, they are often found in large numbers on mixture directly on boxelder bugs as often as necessary.
the south sides of houses or other buildings. Remember the mixture only kills the bugs that are being
sprayed and has no residual affects once dry.

Damage and Prevention Chemical control of boxelder bugs is difficult and not
very successful because large nymphs and adults are
When seeking an overwintering location, adults may tolerant of insecticides. Justification of insecticidal
accidentally find a crack or crevice leading inside a control depends largely upon the degree of the
building. Boxelder bugs will not bite, sting or eat food nuisance problem, the areas where they occur, and the
products, but they can stain carpet and other fabrics. numbers of bugs the homeowner is willing to tolerate.
Preventing boxelder bugs from entering a building will
reduce this nuisance insect. There are about 175 insecticide Utah-registered products
labeled for boxelder bug control in both indoor and
•Caulk or seal openings or foundation cracks, windows, outdoor domestic dwelling situations. About 50 products
and around plumbing, gas, or electrical conduits. are labeled for boxelder bug control on boxelder trees
Weather strip around doors and windows. or ornamental trees in general. Common active
ingredients in products include chlorpyrifos, cyfluthrin,
•Screen off attic vents and repair broken windows and cypermethrin, D-phenothrin plus tetrmethrin, D-trans-
screens. Expanding-foam sealants may be of value in allethrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, permethrin, and pyrethrins.
sealing hidden recesses and other areas that are not Active ingredients in formulations labeled for use on
readily visible. trees include carbaryl, chlorpyrifos, cube resins plus
rotenone, endosulfan, and naled.
•Simply vacuum any boxelder bugs that remain
because completely sealing the building may be
1 Image courtesy of Clemson University, USDA Cooperative Extension Slide Series
impossible.
(www.forestryimages.org).
2
•Avoid squishing adults because they can leave a stain Image courtesy of W. Cranshaw (www.forestryimages.org).

on fabrics and can release a foul odor. 3

Image courtesy of J.B. Hanson (www.forestryimages.org).

Precautionary Statement: All pesticides have benefits and risks, however following the label will maximize the benefits and reduce risks. Pay attention to the
directions for use and follow precautionary statements. Pesticide labels are considered legal documents containing instructions and limitations. Inconsistent
use of the product or disregarding the label is a violation of both federal and state laws. The pesticide applicator is legally responsible for proper use.
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also cannot discriminate in the classroom, residence halls, or in on/off campus, USU-sponsored events and activities. This publication is issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension
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