As the weather begins to turn from warm and sunny to cold and gloomy, many of the once outdoor problem pests are working their way toward New Jersey homes and businesses. These creepy crawlers are searching for a warm spot to spend the cold winter months in hopes of surviving until next spring. One of these problem pests that you need to keep a look-out for is the box elder bug.
The box elder bug enjoys the spring and summertime in the great outdoors, but cannot survive the cold harsh winters outdoors. During October, it menaces New Jersey homeowners by searching windows, screens, doorways, attics, vents, cracks, and crevices for any way to gain entry into their abode. The good news is that once inside, these intruders don’t bite or multiply, but they can be annoying none-the-less.
Adult box elder bugs are about ½ of an inch long with black and orange markings. They have overlapping wings which lay flat over their bodies and form an “X” on their back. These bugs are mostly ground dwellers as you will see them feeding on low lying vegetation and seeds on the ground. During the mid summer months, females will way eggs on branches, tree trunks and leaves of box elder trees, maple trees, or ash trees. Box elder bugs can fly anywhere from one city block up to two miles in distance. Nymph box elder bugs are bright red in color when first hatched and soon morph into adults.
Box elder bugs become a nuisance for many NJ homeowners because when they enter homes, they typically do so in large numbers. Once inside, these pests often leave excrement stains on walls, curtains and window sills.
You can help keep box elders out of your home by:
• sealing entry points with wire mesh and expandable caulk for spaces larger than 1/8th of an inch.
• repairing damaged windows, screens, or doors
• installing door sweeps
• repair damaged bathroom or kitchen fans and soffit or roof venting.
The best way of keeping box elder bugs out of your New Jersey home this time of year is to have Allison Pest Control apply an insecticide around the perimeter of your home to keep these and other unwanted pests away. Allison Pest Control provides fast service in Monmouth, Middlesex, and Ocean Counties. Give us a call today.