Box elder bugs are harmless but invade Ontario homes in large numbers every fall. XtermaPro prevents the overwintering invasion and handles existing infestations.
Box elder bugs are black and red-orange insects about 12mm long, easily recognizable by their distinct colouring. They feed on the seeds of box elder (Manitoba maple), ash, and maple trees through summer, then in fall seek sheltered spots to overwinter often choosing the warm south or west-facing walls of houses. They enter through any available crack or gap.
Signs of box elder bug activity:
Box elder bugs are harmless to humans and pets they don't bite, sting, or cause structural damage. However, they excrete a reddish liquid that can stain surfaces and fabrics, and large overwintering populations are a persistent nuisance throughout winter and spring.
The window for effective box elder bug treatment is in early fall before they've entered. We apply residual perimeter treatment to exterior walls and entry points, dramatically reducing the number that successfully overwinter inside. Entry point sealing is also key to long-term prevention.
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Box elder bugs are black and red true bugs that feed on box elder, maple, and ash trees. They cluster on warm sunny walls in fall looking for overwintering sites, which is when they become a nuisance around homes.
No. Box elder bugs do not bite, do not damage structure, and do not carry disease. The problems are sheer numbers on sunny walls, staining from their droppings on siding and curtains, and the odour released when they are crushed.
Vacuum them up (do not crush) and empty the bag into an outdoor bin. Our indoor treatment applies a residual to wall voids, window frames, and attic spaces where they overwinter. Most indoor activity drops within 7 to 14 days.
Late August through mid September, before the fall migration to the house. A single exterior treatment applied to sunny walls, eaves, and around windows stops most of the incoming population for the whole season.
Seal cracks around windows, doors, and siding, screen attic and soffit vents, and consider removing nearby female box elder trees (the main food source) if they sit close to the home. The protection plan includes the fall preventive exterior treatment.
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