Box Elder Bug
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See
ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2106.htmlThis insect gets its name from the preference of feeding on the leaves, branches, and seeds of the Box Elder tree. Other food sources include maple and ash trees also. They also feed on fruits such as grapes, apples, and plums. They do little damage to the trees as they feed.
Box Elder Bugs go through a migration activity in late fall to over winter inside structures. Prior to this migration they congregate on the south side of structures, houses, and rocks to soak up the sun’s warmth. They are good flyers and fly to locations then make their way inside. Inside their droppings may cause staining on draperies, fabrics, and other items of this sort. Be aware they can bite if handled roughly and can produce a pungent odor if smashed or crushed.
Inspecting for and correcting entryways is the best control for the Box Elder Bug. This includes looking for loose, worn, or missing weather stripping around doorways and windows and correcting any deficient areas. Worn or misaligned thresholds need corrected if observed. Check utility pipes or lines where they go into the structure and make sure they are sealed. This needs to be done on a regular basis because weather or settling may create gaps around these areas at any time.
For quick control of the ones you see inside use an aerosol product. They come in both contact and residual types. Residual products leave behind material to remain active for a further length of time. Residual products include items such as
Cy-Kick 17.5 oz. can,
Invader HPX 14 oz. can, and
D-Force HPX 14 oz. can. Contact products include items such as
PI 18 oz. can,
PT 565 Plus 20 oz. can,
CB 80 Extra 17oz.can.
Direct liquid treatment to shrubs and plants at the foundation perimeter and landscape areas may be necessary to control them outside before they have an opportunity to make their way inside. For treatment of trees I would recommend talking with a nursery or reputable lawn service for conditions and considerations in your immediate area. Liquid residual concentrates are mixed with water at label rates as needed. This method gets the treated area to a “neutral” condition where no insects or spiders are present. The drawback is that after 2 or 3 sprinkler cycles, a rain, or heavy dew the material is diluted to the point of ineffectiveness and nothing is there to provide continued control. If you use this method to control box elder bugs and other insects at the same time, a couple of weeks later you may want to treat with a weather resistant particle bait such as Niban to provide continued control for pests other than box elder bugs that could serve as a steady food source. Residual concentrate products include
Demand CS 8 oz. or
Demand CS 1 qt.,
Suspend SC 1 pt.,
Tempo SC 240 ml,
Tempo Ultra WP 420 gram btl,
Talstar Pro 1 pt. or
Talstar Pro ¾ gal,
Viper 4 oz.,
Demon WP 4-9.5 gram bags per pk,
Demon WP 1 lb. jar,
Demon EC 1 pt.,
Cy-Kick CS 1 pt. or
Cy-Kick CS 120 oz.. These materials can be applied with a
1 gal. Poly Sprayer or a
2 gal. Poly Sprayer. For foundation perimeter application or yard application use a
Gilmour Hose End Sprayer Model 486 or a
Gilmour Hose End Sprayer Model 362. A lot of these products are labeled for inside use as well.
Viper RTU is a ready to use pre mixed product in a 1 gal. Container with a handy sprayer attached to a 1-foot hose.
Before applying the liquid residual around the foundation perimeter apply insecticide dust in the weep holes and other void areas such as gaps, cracks, holes or other areas along the outside to control box elder bugs running to these areas in escape of the liquid treatments. These products include
Delta Dust 1 lb. btl,
Delta Dust 5 lb. btl,
Borid 1 lb. btl, or
Borid 5lb. btl. The insecticide dust is best applied with a
Crusader Hand Duster. The dust works by applying a light amount in the target area. The pest then walks across it, picks it up on their body and ingests the dust as they groom themselves. The dust is a stomach poison and control is completed in this manner. If too big of a placement is applied they will avoid the area.
Copper mesh applied in the weep holes is a good way to minimize insect and spider entryways into this area. Since it is made of copper it won’t leave streaks down the foundation and the mesh is wide enough to allow adequate ventilation behind the bricks. This includes products such as
Stuff-fit Copper Mesh 20 ft. roll,
Stuf-fit Copper Mesh 20 ft. Precut, and
Stuf-fit Copper Mesh 100 ft. Roll.
Use these Niban products for the foundation grass line, landscape areas, and/or yard areas. This is a good material to treat pests other than box elder bugs that are in the same area such as ants, roaches, crickets, and earwigs. These sizes are more suited to outside applications
Niban Insect Bait 5 lb. Shaker Bag, or
Niban Insect Bait 40 lb. Bag. These particle baits are best applied with a
14 oz. Centro Bulb Duster. We carry a handy
Bulb Duster Filler Funnel that makes it easier to fill from the larger size containers. Remember the particles are weather resistant through up to 4 inches of water. This bait works well through sprinkler cycles, rain, or heavy dew.
Another control method is insecticide granules. These materials include
Talstar PL 25 lb bag and
Delta Gard 20 lb. bag. These products are applied with a hand spreader such as a
Scotts Handy Green 2 Hand Spreader. These materials work well when applied and even better when watered in. They are applied at the foundation perimeter and yard areas.
Glueboards are a good tool to use because they serve to control the insects and monitor for activity. If any are found observe which way the pest is captured. This will allow you to backtrack to find possible harborage areas or entryways. We carry
Catchmaster CM MB 72 72 ct box ,
Catchmaster CM MB 72 8 ct pk, or
Trapper LTD 72 ct box.
Always read and follow label directions. For additional information call Do It Yourself Pest Control Supplies at 972-562-9999, 903-891-8818, or 866-562-8999.
