Box Elder Bugs

Box elder bugs (Boisea trivittata) are also known as maple bugs, as they are commonly found on maple trees, the box elder maple tree (Acer negundo) in particular. These bugs prefer to feed on the female seed-bearing box elder trees, but occasionally also eat strawberry and other orchard trees. Usually, they don't cause any damage to the plants, but they may enter your household during winters.

An average adult box elder bug has a body length of about half an inch. These bugs are black or brown in color with red or orange lines on the back of the head (prothorax), wings and abdomen. They have overlapping wings, which lay flat over their bodies when they rest. Juveniles are smaller in size and are usually red or orange in color, but lack fully-developed wings.

Box elder bugs feed on the softer parts of the plant like leaves, flowers and new stems. They don't bother humans till the onset of winter, when they invade buildings in search of hibernation sites. Even though, no damage is caused by these insects, sometimes, if they are present in large numbers, they can stain the building with their excrement. When it is cool, they tend to remain inside the crevices of the walls, but on warm days, they become active and enter the house. With the onset of spring, they emerge from their hibernation sites and start feeding for about two weeks, till summer. During summers, they mate and lay eggs on the bark and leaves. Each female can deposit almost 230 eggs and the eggs hatch after a period of around 10 to 14 days. They feed on the sap of the plant by inserting their pointed beaks in leaves, fruits and soft seeds. The development of the nymphal stage takes 60 to 70 days. They reach maturity by fall and start hibernation by winter and the life cycle continues.

Box elder bugs are considered pests and can be prevented and controlled in many ways.

• As they are mainly found on the female box elder tree, many people cut these trees down, to eliminate these bugs.
• Another method is to seal the cracks and crevices in the building to avoid the entry of these insects. Fill extra spaces or holes made for cable TV wires, telephone lines, and pipes.
• You can get the exterior of your house treated with insecticide, to repel these bugs.
• Boric acid and/or diatomaceous earth can also be used as repellents.
• You can also kill these bugs by spraying a solution of soap and water directly on them.
• Once they enter the house, you can remove them with the help of a vacuum cleaner or with a broom.
• A strip of duct tape can also be helpful in getting rid of the bugs. They will stick to the adhesive tape, which facilitates easier disposal.
• Wasp and hornet insecticides can be sprayed on these bugs to kill them. Aerosol sprays are also helpful in instantly killing these insects.

It is always better to avoid insecticides inside the house. The best method to eliminate box elder bugs is to prevent them from entering the premises.