Boxelder Bugs are a common pest in Denver that primarily feeds on female Boxelder Maple. Boxelder bugs rarely cause significant damage to trees.

This time of year we typically see them gathering in warm places around homes, such as south-facing brick walls. They gather in large numbers in the fall to seek a warm place to hibernate, often becoming a nuisance as they want to overwinter in protected places like your house! They do not really cause any damage other than that they can stain draperies or light-colored surfaces if squashed.

Control:
Most exterior insecticides are not that effective against boxelder bugs, if they are a nuisance we recommend to use a mix of laundry detergent and water, and spray it on the Boxelder bugs around your home if desired. If they come into the house, use a vacuum cleaner to vacuum them up, and make sure to seal off any cracks or gaps coming into your home to prevent them from getting inside.

In the spring the Boxelder bugs emerge from hibernation and feed on a variety of plants, but their preferred food is boxelder seed pods found on female Boxelder trees. The females lay eggs on leaves and stones and in the cracks and crevices in the bark of female Boxelder trees. The most permanent solution to the Boxelder bug problem is the removal of female Boxelder trees, though this is not usually desirable or practical.

If you have questions about your trees or pests, give our Arborists a call or send us an estimate request online here »