How to handle boxelder bugs

Boxelder bugs are a common source of frustration for many, as they can seemingly pop up out of nowhere and can appear in great numbers. If you're noticing these pests in or around your home, what can you do to handle it?

Operations Manager at CanEx Pest Control Michael Zborowsky explained boxelder bugs are attracted to sunlight, so you'll usually find them on sunny sides of buildings or close to anything heat reflecting like concrete slabs or window cladding. While there isn't much you can do about the sun itself, there are several preventative measures you can take to make sure these bugs don't become a nuisance in your home.

"What we would recommend is checking the caulking or sealing around your windowsill. If there's any UV damage from the sun, if it cracks there it creates an opening for them to invade in the structure. Look for cracks along the foundation, your gas lines (and other pipes), you could look at sealing that," he said. 

Zborowsky said boxelder bugs are also attracted to shelter, so proper yard maintenance can play a big role in preventing bugs near your property. This is especially important to consider now that the snow is melting and yards are clearing up again. 

"If you have a lot of yard debris where there's heat over top of it, it kind of creates like a shelter for them like a home underneath.  So you want to make sure you rake up your yard, do your aeration, make sure you're doing all your upkeep."

If you already have bugs and you want to try getting rid of them yourself, Zborowsky said there's several home remedies you can do, like putting soap and water in a spray bottle and spraying the bugs. This dehydrates them and their outer shell, which could potentially kill them. You could also try vacuuming them. 

If you have a severe boxelder bug infestation Zborowsky encourages people to reach out to CanEx Pest Control, but also encourages potential home remedy solutions, so long as you do your research and know how to handle it. Zborowsky added in the case of bad infestations, he looks to target the source of the infestation, rather than "spraying and hoping," as he prefers not to use pesticides when it isn't necessary.