Also known as golden rain tree bugs and jadera bugs, these true bugs (Hemiptera: Phyllostomidae) feed on the seeds, stems and leaves of their favorite host plants. They also suck juices from developing fruit and other plants.

They become nuisance pests when they congregate around homes and other buildings seeking overwintering quarters in the fall. They release a foul odor when crushed and can cause staining on surfaces.

Seal Cracks and Crevices

As autumn approaches, Boxelder bugs seek out warm, overwintering locations such as homes and outbuildings. When these pests invade, they can create a nuisance around structures by crawling in cracks and crevices looking for shelter and food. Fortunately, they don’t cause damage to the structure of your home and don’t bite people, but their fecal material can leave red stains on drapes, clothing or fabric items that have been touched by them.

While stink bugs aren’t as bothersome as Boxelder Bugs, they can be difficult to get rid of because they reproduce rapidly and have a distinctive odor when crushed. The key to controlling stink bugs is to prevent their breeding in the yard and protect yourself, your family, pets, and garden from these pests.

To help keep stink bugs away from your property, remove weeds and debris that provide hiding places for these pests. Then, regularly inspect the area around your home or business for cracks and crevices. Use caulking to seal these areas where needed. Be sure to check windows and doors, as well as the cracks where pipes or electrical wires enter into a building. Also, examine the south and west-facing walls of your structure for entry points.

During the spring, stink bugs begin to breed again and produce nymphs. Nymphs are bright red with black legs and antennae, and they darken as they mature into adults. They are most active at dawn and dusk, when they gather on the south and west sides of houses and buildings to find warmth. When nymphs and adults find suitable overwintering sites, they release pheromones that attract other stink bugs and encourage them to join the party.

As autumn nears, the brown marmorated stink bug becomes more aggressive in its search for winter harborage. Infestations are exacerbated by cooler temperatures, which trigger the stink bug to enter a state of diapause. While in this state, the stink bug’s metabolism and development halts. The bugs then migrate to the south sides of homes and other buildings, where they can enter through unsealed cracks and crevices.

Apply Insecticides

Homeowners with seed-bearing boxelder trees often find themselves contending with swarms of red shouldered bugs. These insects do not cause significant damage to gardens and are generally a nuisance, but they can be extremely unwelcome when they appear in large numbers and emit their characteristic odor. Fortunately, there are several steps that can be taken to help get rid of them.

In most cases, insecticides are effective in controlling these pests. However, it is important to note that a few of these chemicals can be harmful to natural enemies and could disrupt ecological balances in your yard and garden. To avoid this, it is generally recommended that homeowners use the least toxic methods possible.

A few of the most common techniques for managing these pests include sealing cracks and crevices, spraying outside with an insecticide, and using a mixture of other methods such as sweeping up and disposing of any swarms that find their way indoors. In addition, applying a layer of diatomaceous earth to the areas surrounding the home can also be very effective at repelling them.

When spraying, it is important to target the early stages of the nymphs. This stage is bright red and has black legs, and it is at this point that they will be most susceptible to insecticides. The later stages will have wing pads and look more adult-like, and they are harder to kill with sprays. Insecticides containing carbaryl, bifenthrin, cyfluthrin, malathion, permethrin, and rotenone have all been shown to be effective in controlling these pests.

The best time to apply insecticides is in the spring, as the nymphs will be most abundant at this time. However, many homeowners may find that they need to repeat the application of these products in the fall in order to be successful.

If you do decide to use a chemical solution to control these pests, it is important to read the product labels carefully and follow all application instructions exactly. You should also always wear proper personal protective equipment when handling and applying any insecticides to your property. We recommend an outdoor perimeter treatment of Supreme IT in conjunction with Pyrid Aerosol and D-Fense Dust for the best results.

Remove Boxelder Trees

The most effective way to deal with boxelder bugs once they find their way inside your home is simply to vacuum them up. This is the safest and quickest method for eliminating them. The key is to be sure that you use a shop vacuum with a hose that can stand up to the task so that you can easily suck up all of the critters. Also, it is important to empty the vacuum cleaner bag outdoors right away. Failure to do so can allow escaped, dead boxelder bugs to return to your home and re-enter through the same areas that you sucked them out of.

In addition to sealing cracks in walls and around windows and doors, removing any wood piles or stacks of lumber near your house may help keep out these pests. The same goes for reducing clutter, as this can provide hiding places for the insects.

Neem oil is a great natural repellent for boxelder bugs and is also safe for plants. This can be found at any organic garden store and is usually sold in a spray bottle. It is important to note, however, that neem oil does have the potential to damage leaves and petals when used in high concentrations. It is therefore advisable to only apply this repellent in small concentrations or as a spot treatment on plants.

Another natural way to prevent boxelder bug infestations is to trim samara-producing trees regularly and to mow or rake up the seed pods as they begin to ripen. This will decrease the amount of samara that is produced, which in turn will lower the number of insects that will be drawn to your property to lay their eggs.

In early summer, you can also treat your host trees with Ortho (r) Home Defense(r) Insect Killer for Indoor & Perimeter to kill adult boxelder bugs as they begin to appear in large numbers and seek overwintering locations. This product is safe for use around homes and other buildings and is easy to apply using a hose or watering can.

Keep Your Yard Clean

Red shouldered bugs are a nuisance, but they don’t cause any serious damage to plants or trees. They also do not bite or sting humans, but they can leave fecal spots on walls, draperies and furniture that may be difficult to remove. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce their numbers and prevent them from invading your home.

The first step in getting rid of these pests is to seal the cracks and crevices around your house. This is especially important if you have an older house. The nymphs of the bug can enter the walls through these holes and become adults inside your home.

A simple way to get rid of these bugs is by using a shop vacuum cleaner with a long hose attachment. Roll the hose over the area where the bugs congregate, such as on the west and south sides of your house. Vacuum up the bugs and empty the bag into an outdoor trash can. Repeat this process regularly to ensure that you don’t let the bug infestation get out of control.

Another way to get rid of these pests is by spraying a mixture of water and soap. This solution will kill the bugs and make it more difficult for them to grip surfaces. It’s also a good idea to spray this mixture over the areas where the bugs are congregating, as it will help to deter them from coming close to your home in the future.

Golden rain tree bugs, also known as jadera bugs, are another common pest in the area. They eat the seeds of the golden rain tree and Chinaberry tree, and they tend to cluster in lawns. To keep them from congregating in your yard, you should regularly rake and remove the seeds from the ground.

Like other insects in the Rhopalidae family, they are scentless and do not spray noxious-smelling chemicals when disturbed. Nevertheless, they can be quite a nuisance because of their sheer number and the fact that they can stain fabrics with fecal matter. These insects do not cause any serious harm to plants or trees, but they are often confused with the boxelder bug.