We as humans always prefer to stay at home and keep ourselves warm during the cold months. Now, what do you think is the first thought of bugs when they start feeling cold? Yes, you thought it right! They will look for shelter in your home. While Boxelder bugs are not dangerous and harmful, they are annoying to homeowners. These are those tiny pests that will find a way to get indoors and leave behind stains, damage your houseplants, and emit an awful smell when crushed.
They are known to have their primary residence outdoors during seasons other than winter. It is very important to understand the behavior of these bugs in order to find effective strategies to deal with them. When you find a pest control company in Portland, ensure that these pests do not make their way into your home by getting a quality extermination service.
Do Boxelder Bugs Have a Plan to Break Into Your Home?
They typically enter homes to hide during the winter and may sometimes come in quest of food. There are several ways they can get into your home:
- Because they are tiny creatures, they can fit through minor spaces in your home.
- They could assemble in an area near your home that receives sunlight. Some may get inside.
- Having a boxelder infestation in your neighborhood might also attract these insects.
- They can get into your house by sticking to your clothing or baggage.
- If you have chimneys, this can be a way for them to enter when the fire is not lit.
- Damaged windows with no protection or covering could welcome these pests.
What Can You do to Safeguard Yourself From Boxelder Bugs?
There are several steps you can take to keep them out of your house. They range from basic to complicated, and they help in preventing access in any scenario.
- Have the broken doors fixed, and a major entry point will be sealed.
- If you have boxelder trees, use meshes to keep them from entering through windows.
- Use weatherstripping or caulk to seal any small gaps and block all the access points.
- Keep your trees and other plants trimmed. If they directly lean into your house, bugs can easily enter through the branches.
Is There a Defined Life Cycle For Boxelder Bugs?
Yes, Boxelder bugs happen to grow in four different stages. A certain amount of growth happens in various stages. Let us explore and understand the life cycle in detail.
Egg Stage
During the egg stage, several eggs are found together, marking the start of their lives. This period can last up to a week or two. Egg laying often occurs in the spring.
Nymphing stage:
The nymphing stage occurs when they grow out from their eggs. They start to look like the adult boxelder bugs, but they are obviously smaller in size and are also developing functionality-wise. It will be visible that their wings have not fully developed, and hence, this period could go on for several weeks.
Adulting Stage:
This is a stage where most of the growth occurs. During their days of maturity, they can live for a few months. During this stage, they start to feed on boxelder trees and breed.
Overwintering Stage:
This is the stage humans hate the most. They will start looking for entry points in your home, and you will be amazed at their creativity. It is a hibernation period that occurs during the winter. They aim to find warmer regions, and they remain there until the cold weather passes.
Wrapping up!
Boxelder bugs are quiet in nature but not easy to deal with. Once they get inside, it might be difficult to get them out. Therefore, relying on an expert might prove to be beneficial. Extermination experts can remove these bugs carefully and without causing harm to your family or pets. They do take all the appropriate measures while working.
