Frequently Asked Questions About Insects - Department of Entomology at Texas A&M University

Frequently Asked Questions

Topic:	Bugs, boxelder bugs
Question:	I'm overrun by boxelder bugs that are breeding out of control and swarming all over the outside of my house, as well as sneaking inside and getting into everything. I want to find a non-toxic way to control them. I tried the advice of a friend to vacuum them up with a shop vac, but they seem to come back in even greater numbers unless you spend all day, everyday, trying to suck them up. These bugs are tiny and bright red upon hatching, and grow to be 1/4-inch long and black with red outlines on the wings. They clump together when young in masses.
Answer:	Boxelder bugs are in the "true bug" order called Hemiptera. True bugs are characterized by a visible triangle at the center of the back called the scutellum. They also have sucking mouthparts. They do not eat leaves but suck juices from the tree. Actually, the story is that boxelder bugs need female trees to reproduce. I suppose they need the seeds as food when the foliage is gone. Some experts suggest you can cut down the female trees, i.e., any tree with seed pods, to stop them from reproducing. This would not help this year but might in the future. Alternative controls are insecticides - aerosal cans are fine for some temporary relief indoors. For more information see our publication on them.
Related Link:	http://insects.tamu.edu/extension/bulletins/l-1830.html
Related Link:	http://insects.tamu.edu/fieldguide/aimg69.html
Image Link: **
Response by:	John A. Jackman
Title:	Professor and Extension Specialist
** Most of the Related Links above also contain images.

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