How to Get Rid of Boxelder Bugs in Iowa
If you’ve lived in Iowa for any amount of time, you’ve probably seen them. Clusters of black bugs with red lines covering the sunny side of your house, they come in around windows and doors. Boxelder bugs are one of the most common seasonal pest issues for homeowners across Sac County, Calhoun County, Carroll County, and surrounding areas. The good news is, they are more of a nuisance than a threat. However, they are persistent, annoying, and come back every year if nothing changes.
What Are Boxelder Bugs (and Why Are They on My House?)
Boxelder bugs feed on boxelder trees, maple trees, and ash trees; all of which are common throughout West Central Iowa. As temperatures start to drop in late summer and early fall, they look for warm surfaces and sheltered areas to overwinter. That’s why you’ll usually find them on the south- and west-facing sides of your home and around windows, siding, and foundations.
How to Get Rid of Boxelder Bugs
There’s no single one-time fix, but here are a few things you can implement that actually work:
1. Seal Up Entry Points
Start with prevention. Check for gaps around windows/doors, siding/trim, and utility openings. Use caulk or weather stripping to close off easy access points.
2. Remove Them Safely
If they’re already inside use a vacuum (and empty it right away) and avoid crushing them. They can leave stains and an unpleasant odor.
3. Reduce What Attracts Them
You don’t need to cut down trees, but you can clean up fallen leaves/debris near your home and trim branches that touch or hang over the house.
4. Apply Exterior Treatments
The most effective way to control boxelder bugs is treating the outside of your home before they get in. A professional perimeter spray creates a barrier that stops them from gathering on your home and reduces the number that find their way inside.
Why They Keep Coming Back Every Year
Boxelder bugs release pheromones that attract more bugs to the same location year after year. So even if you deal with them once, the cycle repeats unless you take a preventative approach.
Do You Need Professional Pest Control for Boxelder Bugs?
You can manage some of this on your own. But, if you’re dealing with large numbers every year, it usually turns into a cycle of reacting instead of preventing. At Evicted Pest Control, we treat for the pests Iowa homeowners deal with every year, including boxelder bugs, lady beetles, and wasps.
Our Seasonal Eviction Plan includes four treatments between April and November, timed around peak pest activity so you’re not constantly playing catch-up. If you’re tired of seeing boxelder bugs show up in your Iowa home every fall, it might be time to stop treating the symptoms and start preventing the problem. Call Evicted Pest Control today to get enrolled in the Seasonal Eviction Plan.
Evicted Pest Control | 712-297-4711 | Sac County, Calhoun County, Carroll County Iowa
