Boxelder Bug Control Services
Fast, eco-conscious boxelder bug control that keeps these fall invaders off your walls and out of your home. Backed by our satisfaction guarantee.
- Thorough Inspection & Entry Point Detection
- Safer, Well-Timed Exterior Treatment
- Long-Term Prevention Solutions
What Are Boxelder Bugs?
Boxelder bugs are black-and-red insects that feed mainly on the seeds of boxelder trees, known in Canada as Manitoba maples, along with other maples and ash trees. They spend spring and summer outdoors, but in late summer and fall, large groups gather on sunny, south- and west-facing walls to warm up before looking for a place to spend the winter. From there, they crawl into gaps around windows, siding, and roof lines and settle into walls and attics. On warm days, they wake up and wander into living spaces. Boxelder bugs don’t breed indoors, but they tend to return to the same homes year after year.
How to Identify a Boxelder Bug
| Colour | Size | Legs | Antennae | Shape | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black with red or orange markings | About 1/2″ long | 6 | Yes, long | Flat, elongated oval | Found throughout Canada |
Adult boxelder bugs have a dark, flat, oval body with three red or orange lines on the area behind the head and red outlines along the edges of their wings. Their wings fold flat over the back, forming an X-like pattern. Young boxelder bugs, called nymphs, are smaller and bright red, and are often seen alongside adults on tree trunks and walls.
Signs You Have a Boxelder Bug Problem
- Large groups of black-and-red bugs gathering on sunny exterior walls, especially in late summer and fall
- Bugs clustering around windows, door frames, siding, and roof lines
- Boxelder bugs appearing indoors on warm days in winter and early spring
- Bugs crawling on walls, curtains, and windowsills in rooms that get a lot of sun
- Small reddish-orange stains on walls, curtains, or fabrics
- Dead bugs collecting in attics, window frames, and light fixtures
- Boxelder, maple, or ash trees on or near your property with bugs gathering on the trunks
Keeping Boxelder Bugs Out of Your Home
- Seal cracks and gaps around windows, door frames, siding, and soffits before late summer.
- Repair or replace damaged window and door screens.
- Install screens over attic, soffit, and roof vents.
- Caulk around utility lines, pipes, cables, and exterior light fixtures where they enter the home.
- Add weatherstripping to doors and windows, including basement and attic access points.
- Rake up and dispose of fallen boxelder and maple seeds near the home.
- Clear leaf litter, rocks, and debris from along the foundation where bugs can shelter.
- Book a professional exterior treatment in late summer or early fall, before bugs look for shelter.
- Vacuum up bugs indoors instead of crushing them, which can leave stains.
- If boxelder bugs are a recurring problem, speak with an arborist about female boxelder trees close to the home.
Health & Property Risks of Boxelder Bugs
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Stains on Walls and Fabrics
Boxelder bugs can leave reddish-orange stains on walls, curtains, and furniture, especially when crushed
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Unpleasant Odour
When crushed or disturbed, boxelder bugs release a foul-smelling odour
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Large Indoor Numbers
Hundreds or even thousands of boxelder bugs can overwinter in a single home, emerging on warm days
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Secondary Pest Problems
Dead bugs left in walls and attics can attract carpet beetles and other pests that feed on dead insects
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Recurring Every Year
Boxelder bugs tend to return to the same buildings season after season unless entry points are sealed
Our Boxelder Bug Removal Process
Step 1. Consultation and Inspection
A licensed technician inspects your property inside and out to find where boxelder bugs are gathering, overwintering, and getting in.
Step 2. Full-Site Inspection Report
You'll get a clear summary of what we found: entry points, gathering spots on exterior walls, nearby host trees, and how widespread the activity appears to be.
Step 3. Custom Pest Control Action Plan
We build a targeted plan around well-timed exterior treatment, exclusion, and indoor removal, tailored to your home and when the bugs are most active.
Step 4. Putting Your Plan Into Action
We treat the exterior walls and surfaces where boxelder bugs gather, address bugs already inside, and help seal the gaps they're using to get in.
Step 5. Guidance on Staying Pest-Free
We confirm activity has dropped and provide you with a list of steps you can take to keep boxelder bugs from returning next season.
Why Choose GreenLeaf?
Eco-Friendly
Methods
Science-based treatments with proven, maximal effectiveness and minimal impact that are safer for your family, pets, and the environment.
100% Satisfaction Guarantee
Your peace of mind is our priority. We back our work with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Trusted Since
1999
We’re a team of licensed, experienced technicians proudly serving homeowners and businesses across the GTA and Southern Ontario since 1999.
Customized Treatment Plans
We identify current and potential infestations based on your property's characteristics and location to design a treatment plan that keeps you protected.
The GreenLeaf Pest Control Home Protection Plan
For businesses and homeowners dealing with persistent or recurring pest issues, our Home Protection Plan (HPP) offers a long-term solution. It begins with an intensive first visit to resolve any immediate infestations, followed by scheduled inspections and responsive service calls throughout the year, anytime pests reappear.
Learn More About Our Home Protection Plan
What Our Customers Say
Get Help With Boxelder Bugs Today
Finding boxelder bugs covering your siding or crawling across your windows? Contact GreenLeaf today for a free estimate and fast, safer boxelder bug control.
Frequently Asked Ant Control Questions
How can I get rid of a boxelder bug infestation?
To get rid of a boxelder bug infestation, you need to deal with the bugs already inside and stop new ones from getting in. Vacuum up bugs indoors rather than crushing them, then seal gaps around windows, siding, soffits, and vents. A professional exterior treatment in late summer or early fall, when bugs gather on sunny walls, is the most effective way to keep them out. Ongoing protection through our Home Protection Plan helps prevent them from coming back each season.
What is the best insecticide to use to control boxelder bugs?
The most effective option is a professionally applied exterior insecticide on the sunny walls, siding, and window frames where boxelder bugs gather before moving inside. Timing matters: treatment works best in late summer or early fall. Indoor sprays are far less effective once bugs are already in walls and attics, and dead bugs left behind can attract other pests. For bugs already inside, vacuuming is the better choice.
Why shouldn't you squish a boxelder bug?
Squishing a boxelder bug can leave a reddish-orange stain on walls, curtains, carpets, and furniture that can be hard to remove. Crushed boxelder bugs also release an unpleasant odour. Vacuuming them up and emptying the vacuum outside is a cleaner way to remove them.
What do boxelder bugs hate?
Boxelder bugs dislike cold, shaded areas and are drawn to warm, sunny surfaces, which is why they gather on south- and west-facing walls. Scents like mint, cinnamon, and clove are often said to repel them, but there’s little evidence they keep boxelder bugs out of a home. Sealing entry points and a well-timed exterior treatment are much more effective.
How long do boxelder bugs stay around?
Boxelder bugs usually gather on homes from late summer through fall, then spend the winter hidden in walls and attics. They can appear indoors on warm days throughout winter and early spring, and most head back outside in spring to feed and lay eggs. Without sealing entry points, they’ll often return the following fall.
Does dish soap get rid of boxelder bugs?
Yes, a mixture of dish soap and water can kill boxelder bugs on contact when sprayed directly on them outdoors. It only works on the bugs it touches, though, and doesn’t leave any lasting protection. It won’t stop new bugs from arriving or reach those already hiding in walls and attics, so it’s best used as a short-term fix alongside sealing entry points.
Which tree is most associated with boxelder bugs?
Boxelder bugs are most closely associated with the boxelder tree, also known in Canada as the Manitoba maple. They feed mainly on the seeds of female, seed-bearing boxelder trees, and sometimes on other maples and ash trees. Homes near these trees are much more likely to see large numbers of boxelder bugs in late summer and fall.
Are boxelder bugs harmful?
Boxelder bugs are mostly a nuisance, not a danger. They aren’t known to spread disease, and while they may rarely pierce the skin, causing minor irritation, they aren’t aggressive. They don’t damage a home’s structure, but they can stain walls and fabrics, give off an unpleasant odour when crushed, and leave behind dead bugs that attract other pests.
What do boxelder bugs look like?
Adult boxelder bugs are about 1/2″ long, with a flat, dark, oval body and red or orange markings. Look for three red lines behind the head and red outlines along the wing edges, which form an X-like pattern when folded. Young boxelder bugs, or nymphs, are smaller and bright red.
Should I hire an exterminator for boxelder bugs?
If you’re only seeing a few boxelder bugs, vacuuming and sealing gaps may be enough. For large or recurring infestations, a professional is the better choice. A licensed technician can pinpoint entry points and apply well-timed exterior treatments that DIY methods can’t match. GreenLeaf’s licensed technicians have served homes and businesses across Toronto, the GTA, and Southern Ontario since 1999, and every job is backed by our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.
