Pest Guide · Lake of the Ozarks
Boxelder Bugs: how they live, why they invade & how to get rid of them
Boxelder bugs are the black-and-red insects that mass on sunny siding in fall, then work their way inside to overwinter. Like stink bugs and lady beetles, they're a nuisance invader, not a threat - but big clusters on the house and around windows wear thin fast, and they can leave stains.
How boxelder bugs live
They feed on boxelder, maple, and ash trees through the warm months, then gather on warm, sunny walls as fall arrives and slip into gaps to overwinter in wall voids and attics. On mild winter days and again in spring they wake up and appear at windows trying to get back out.
Why they come into your home
Host trees nearby plus warm, sun-facing walls and unsealed gaps are the recipe. South and west exposures and any crack around windows, siding, or the roofline invite the fall cluster indoors.
Signs of a boxelder bugs problem
- Masses of black-and-red bugs on sunny walls in fall
- Bugs at windows indoors in fall and again in spring
- Occasional staining where they gather
- Host boxelder, maple, or ash trees on the property
How to get rid of boxelder bugs
As with other overwintering pests, exclusion plus a timed exterior treatment beats chasing them inside. Seal the gaps they use, treat the exterior before they cluster in fall, and vacuum indoor stragglers. Where host trees drive heavy pressure, a recurring perimeter program helps.
How to keep them out
- Seal gaps around windows, siding, and the roofline
- Treat sunny exterior walls before fall clustering
- Repair screens and add door sweeps
- Vacuum indoor bugs rather than crushing them
- Consider a recurring perimeter program near host trees
Dealing with boxelder bugs at the Lake? All American has treated them since 1971 - local, licensed, and using no-odor products that are safe around kids and pets. We'll identify what you have and put together a plan that actually solves it.
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