It may just be me, but this heat has been unbearable recently. I know of at least one group of creatures that would disagree with me, though. And that group would be the insect world. They’ve been swarming, flying, crawling, and slinking all around the Sunshine State this spring due to the early spike in heat. And not the least of these creatures are the Tampa Boxelder Bugs. I know most people don’t know much about this little, crawling insect so today we’re going to go into a little bit of detail about this insect.
Tampa Boxelder Bugs: What Are They?
The Boxelder bugs get their name from the fact that they’re found mostly around the trees that share the same name. But this bug is, unlike many Florida pests, actually native to the U.S. You can find the Boxelder bugs from Canada all the way down to Florida. This insect is primarily a nuisance pest since they enter structures to ride out the cold weather of winter.
The Tampa Boxelder bugs are black with reddish or orange markings on their back. Adults have a body shape that’s flat and somewhat of an elongated oval. They’re about half an inch long, and they have six legs and two antennae that are about half of the length of their body. The younger bugs look similar, but they lack wings and are usually brighter red in color.
Signs of an Infestation
Boxelder bugs tend to cluster in large groups to keep warm during the winter, but as long as they’re outside it’s not really a problem. But walking into your home or shed and seeing this can be quite shocking. You’ll tend to see these insects when they either are overwintering or are on their way out of your home.
Boxelder Bugs: Prevention
In order to prevent boxelder bugs from getting into your house, make sure to repair holes in window and door screens. Also, don’t forget to seal the cracks and crevices around your house with good, quality silicone or caulk.
When getting rid of boxelder bugs that have already entered a home or building, no attempt should be made to kill them in wall voids because dead insect bodies can attract dermestid beetles (larder beetles, carpet beetles, etc). Experts recommend waiting until summer when all live overwintering adults are out of the wall voids. To provide temporary relief during this time, consider using a vacuum cleaner to get rid of the boxelder bugs. The bag should be removed to prevent the bugs from escaping. Then, seal up any entryways into the living space – window pulleys, window and door frames, baseboards, etc. – to prevent a future infestation. For electrical outlets, switch boxes, heating ducts and return air vents, remove the cover plate, seal and replace. For light fixtures and ceiling fans, remove the fixture to its base plate, seal and replace.
