Most people think that cooler weather means zero risks of pest infestations, but not many homeowners are aware that there are pests for every season. Fall pests like boxelder bugs only infest to start their overwintering process, a type of hibernation that some insects use to survive the colder months.
Boxelder bugs find cracks and gaps in the siding of homes and inhabit the wall voids until spring comes back around, and they can make a pretty big mess while they're there. Exterminating an infestation isn't just difficult, it's also not advised, so how can you keep them out of your Riverton home this fall?
Facts About Boxelder Bugs In Riverton
The boxelder bug is a species within the Hemiptera order, also known as "true bugs" because of their sucking mouthparts or proboscis. These insects are only about half an inch long, have long oval-shaped bodies, and are black in color with reddish-orange markings on their wings.
Their proboscis can inflict a bite if they feel threatened, but it's rare and relatively harmless, and since they don't cause health problems or structural damage, they're only considered nuisance pests. Even though they're not dangerous pests, they can still create plenty of problems in your Riverton home.
They exclusively only infest during the colder months, but during the fall and winter, they can make a mess of things:
- Stains on wood, walls, furniture, and cloth materials
- Emerging prematurely on warmer days
- Releasing a pungent odor within the wall voids whenever they're startled
- Dying within the walls and attracting other pests
How To Prevent Boxelder Bugs From Overwintering In Your Riverton Home
These pests are pretty picky when it comes to food, so picky that your Riverton home doesn't even contain any food they'd enjoy eating. Boxelder bugs get their name from the food they prefer over everything – boxelder trees. They'll also consume the sap from trees within the same family, like maple and ash, and they've also been known to partake in fruit tree sap as well. If your neighborhood has an abundance of any of these trees, your home may very well be a prime target for overwintering.
Since boxelder bugs only infest homes during the fall and winter, you'll want to make sure your property is sealed up tight before the temperature starts dropping. This can be difficult, considering their small stature, but taking these steps will still reduce your chances of a boxelder bug infestation:
- Seal up any cracks and holes around the exterior of your home – siding, foundation, roof and trim, gaps between door frames and window frames, around pipes and wires.
- Remove any yard debris and mulch piles from around your property.
- Replace worn-down insulation around doors and windows, and add a door sweep to the base of exterior doors.
- Repair any torn window and storm door screens.
- DO NOT seal up your home if there's already an infestation – trapping boxelder bugs within the wall voids of your home is a definite way to attract carnivorous pests.
How To Exterminate An Ongoing Boxelder Infestation In Your Riverton Home
A boxelder infestation in your Sandy, UT home or Riverton, UT home can be challenging to discover if they've already settled in for the winter, but if you've noticed a significant amount of boxelder bug activity around your Riverton property, there's a high likelihood that they're already in the process of infesting your home. Trying to exterminate them on your own will only lead to a smelly home and dead insects in your walls, but our residential pest professionals at Tanner Pest Control know exactly how to handle a boxelder bug infestation.
We use top-of-the-line pest control products in all of our treatments, we provide meticulous and thorough inspections, and we're so confident in our services that we back them with our 100% pest-free guarantee. So don't let these pests stink up your holidays. Get in contact with us today to start discussing your options. We also provide commercial pest control for local businesses.