Box Elder bugs

We all know their regular infestations seem to be a part of Staatsburg life.  Everyone will tell you the same thing,
“that’s just the way it is,”
or
“they’ve been here before you, and they’ll be here after you’re gone.”

Did you know it doesn’t have to be that way? Did you know that you don’t need to spend money on expensive pesticides or remedies?  A simple, homemade solution of soap and water kills almost instantly when sprayed on them.  Almost any detergent will do, two tablespoons to a gallon of water.  Spray on individuals, or the whole lot of ‘em when you see them gather in Spring and Fall.

Want to really help this town try to get rid of them?  Check around your property for the types of trees these buggers like.  For example.. they get their name from the Box Elder trees on which they love to feed.  They also feed on Maple and Ash trees. Have the tree removed by a professional, and you remove their food source.  If you can’t afford to have the tree removed, see if you can at least have it cut down, the dead tree can no longer support their colonies.  Don’t try to perform this work yourself unless you have experience, you could be injured or killed by a falling tree!

There is good advice on the websites referenced below, please take the time to read them.  Sealing up your home to keep these pests out is good for you, and good for all of us.  As an added benefit, sealing all the cracks and crevices in your home will help lower your heating costs!

Have something to add?  Post it in the comments section!

Box Elder resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Box_elder_bug
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect/05522.html
http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2106.html
http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/library/entml2/MF2580.pdf

Trees they like, for identification:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acer_negundo (Box Elder)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maple
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fraxinus (Ash)

Downloadable flyer to print and share:
box-elder-bug.pdf