Tree Talk: Bugs and boxelders

October - the month of things black and orange: cats and bats, pumpkins and leaves, and boxelder bugs. Those pests!! They seem to magically appear every fall and congregate on sunny, warm surfaces. We may be able to tolerate them outside, but when these colorful critters enter our homes, they've crossed the line.

Boxelder bugs are classified as "true bugs" – a class of insects with a rigid piercing, sucking mouthpart that looks like a long beak and works much like a straw used to drink from a juice box. The bugs feed on seeds and leaves. Other insects in this group include aphids, cicadas, stinkbugs and bedbugs – some creepy relatives. So, all bugs are insects, but not all insects are "bugs".

Adult females lay eggs on trunks, branches and leaves of boxelder trees in the spring, where the eggs hatch within two weeks. The small nymphs are red, but as wings are formed and the nymphs molt into adults, they transition to the familiar black-and-orange patterned bug. Yes, the bugs are most commonly associated with boxelder trees but will also feed on silver maple and ash. Adult boxelder bugs can fly several blocks and may travel as far as two miles. So, even though you may not have a boxelder tree in your yard, there is very likely a tree from which the bugs can originate and relocate to visit your yard and home.

Boxelder bugs remain active until it becomes cold. Most adults find shelter outside to survive the winter, but a few lucky ones find entrance into homes and other buildings. Boxelder bugs will not eat your furniture or invade your pantry. They seek a quiet place to hibernate. Once inside, it's best to physically remove bugs with a dustpan or vacuum cleaner. Be careful about revenge-squishing them as they can stain surfaces. And, as an added bonus, they will leave an unpleasant odor if crushed.

Outside, there are a number of insecticides that will work, but even better – for the sake of not harming any non-target critters – spray with a solution of five tablespoons of detergent per gallon of water. Fatty acids in detergents will dissolve the exoskeleton of soft-bodied pests without harm to unintended insects. Reportedly, dawn dish soap is the detergent of choice for the job.

Boxelder bugs are not a serious problem every year, but are most abundant during hot, dry summers when followed by warm springs. The best way to avoid an infestation of unwanted pests in your home is to seal the areas around windows, cracks and doors – a task that should be on everyone's Fall To-Do List. And please, don't cut down your trees to eliminate a few boxelder bugs.