Laserfiche WebLink
UU <br />DEPARTMENT OF ENTOMOLOGY <br />D 'ornamental insects <br />������U�U��U��� ��U����� <br />x���^�n���u�o�u� x�v�v�"� <br />Timothy J. Gibb, Extension Entomologist <br />Boxelderbugs cannot bite orsting but may become <br />nuisance pests when they invade homes. When fall <br />temperatures begin hodrop, adults search for protected <br />cracks and crevices to pass the winter. Boxe|derbugm <br />near homes may squeeze into cracks. inthe foundation, <br />windows, doors orunder siding and shingles. Duhngthe <br />coldest part oYthe winter the bugs remain inactive but on <br />warm sunny days inlate winter orearly spring they begin <br />toreturn toactivity and start leaving their winter shelter in <br />search ofegg-laying sites. Boxe|dorbugs may become <br />trapped inside homes and although they do not harm <br />household furnishings, they can beannoying when they <br />crawl or fly about the rooms. <br />DESCRIPTION . <br />Adult boxederbugs are approximately 1/2inch in <br />lengtty, dark brown 0oblack incolor with conspicuous red <br />rnadkihgsontheir backs. The young (nvnnpha)are bright <br />red and wingless but Qanens||y similar in shape to the <br />E-24 <br />LIFE CYCLE <br />ggs are usually laid onthe bark of female boxelder <br />trees <br />—but can also befound onash, nnoo|e. Plum,oherry, <br />peach, pear and other trees. The nymphs, which begin to <br />hatch around June, have sucking nloudhpadsand feed bv <br />extracting juices from trees. Boxe|derbugs feed and grow <br />until midsummer when they develop into the adults which <br />lay eggs for the second brood. Although large numbers <br />Vfbone(derbugs can anrneUnneo be observed on host <br />plants, their feeding causes no appreciable damage to <br />trees. |nlate fall, mature boxe|derbugs will again migrate <br />from the trees toseek shelter for the winter. <br />CONTROL MEASURES <br />Boxelderbuos PnaferMhe nish\la\e (seed-beahmo) <br />boxeidam, avoiding the staminete ones. Nurserymen <br />should therefore, propagate boxo|den;bvtaking cuttings <br />from etan`|natetrees only. <br />|fonivone ortwo trees ofnu <br />tobethe source ofboxe|darbuo problems their removal <br />miaht orove best for long-term }d | But <br />remember that bugs can fly in from elsewhere in a <br />Lnfested trees is therefo�j­not recommended. <br />Spraying Infested Trees: One of the best controls for <br />boxelder bugs is to spray infested trees durino'late sum- <br />mer while the second brood of bugs are still immature and <br />concentrated on the trees. Carbaryl (Sevin) and diazinon <br />are labeled forthis purpose (see application rates below). <br />Treating Outdoor Infested Premises: As boxelder <br />bugs ~mature and leave the "trees, ^they ~~^'~^^'~~—~-~ <br />around foundation walls, along fence rows, akthe bases <br />of trees, evergreen shrubs, etc. Hot water (1G511-18CpF) <br />applied directly hothe clusters readily kills them. <br />PURDUE UNIVERSITY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE - NVEST LAFAYETTE, IN 47907 <br />