Summertime may be a beautiful time of year for outdoor fun and adventures. Still, nearly everyone takes a welcome sigh of relief when autumn arrives and insects start disappearing for the winter. You may think your Vernal home is finally safe from pest infestations when that cold weather sets in, but you're not in the clear just yet. Some insects like boxelder bugs seek out warmer and better-insulated locations to wait out the frigid months, and your home may be the perfect spot for them to overwinter this upcoming season.
Boxelder Bugs Appearance And Habits
Boxelder bugs are the most commonly spotted insects during the summer, especially around trees within the maple family. They only grow up to ½ of an inch long, and they have flat oval-shaped bodies with reddish-orange markings on their wings. These insects don't care about indoor living during the summer because it doesn't have anything to offer them. Sure, domiciles provide secure climate-controlled shelter, but Vernal homes don't have any foods they'd be interested in eating. Boxelder bugs only eat the seeds and leaves from boxelder trees and other maple trees.
The only time boxelder bugs are interested in moving into homes is when winter starts approaching, and if you've ever wondered where insects go during the winter, then let me introduce you to a little something called overwintering. Insects are cold-blooded, so they can't survive cold weather. Many species have adopted a form of hibernation called overwintering, where they find a shelter that protects them from the elements and then slow their metabolic rate to survive. They're commonly found in areas such as:
Hollowed out trees
Underneath leaf piles
Loose bark
Old rodent burrows
Underneath rocks, boulders, and fallen logs
Barns and storage sheds
Attics, crawl spaces, and between wall voids
The Problems That Come With Boxelder Bug Infestations, And How To Prevent Them
As a nuisance pest, boxelder bugs don't pose any real threat to people or their homes, but an infestation can bring some unfavorable downsides. It's common for an infestation to go unnoticed for quite a while because of overwintering. Still, they'll occasionally become active on hot days or when the central heating warms them up enough. They can cause staining on wood, furniture, and cloth items, they produce an unpleasantly pungent odor when they're crushed or frightened, and while it's uncommon, they can inflict a painful albeit harmless bite.
These insects don't care about moisture levels or food; they want somewhere warm to sleep, which considerably narrows down infestation prevention methods for your Vernal home:
Remove any debris, leaf piles, and mulch piles from your property
Store any firewood at least a few feet away from entrances
Repair any cracks, gaps, and holes around the exterior of your home; foundation, siding, exposed wood, around outdoor-leading pipes and wires, roof, and trim.
Replace insulation around doors and windows
Make sure window screening and screen doors are correctly installed and tear-free
How To Handle A Boxelder Bug Infestation In Your Vernal Home
If you think boxelder bugs have invaded your Vernal home, don't attempt to exterminate them on your own. A hoard of startled boxelder bugs can cause quite a stink in your home, and dead insects in the wall voids could attract other pests as well. The best course of action is to call your local pest control company, and J&M Pest Control is always here to help.
As a family-owned and operated company, we know the importance of effective and safe pest control. That's why we only use the highest quality eco-friendly pest control products in our treatments; a healthy customer is a happy customer, and you don't need all of those dangerous chemicals in your home. To ensure you're delighted with our services, we give every treatment our 100% pest-free guarantee. If you notice pests on your property after we've already treated them, we come right back out and treat them again at no additional cost. So don't hesitate to get in touch with us today and make sure your home is fully protected for the winter.