Can any one help me with the conrol of boxelder bug? What to do and when?

Reply to post by Derek J, on April 26, 1999 at 10:20:07:

Derek, here is an excerpt from a letter I recently wrote to a client:

This insect is a nuisance pest, but does not cause any significant damage to the trees or to structures. They feed on boxelder (Acer negundo) and silver maple (Acer saccharinum) trees as nymphs and adults. In the fall of the year, the adults will congregate on the sunny sides of rocks, trees or buildings. They then migrate to warm, protected places to hibernate during the winter months. They often find their way into houses.

In the spring, they emerge from hibernation, and again congregate in sunny places. In April and May they fly to the host trees, and deposit eggs. The nymphs and first-generation adults feed on fallen boxelder seeds, and later on new developing seed and young leaves. They do not cause significant harm to the tree, although leaves can become distorted.

The bug is considered a household pest. When inside a building, it usually remains out of sight. It does not feed or cause any damage during this time. When temperatures warm and days lengthen, they try to escape back outdoors, and can often be found trapped in windows. There are no chemical measures recommended for control inside a home, although household insecticides may be helpful. The trees can be sprayed in late May or June, to reduce the populations of this pest. Treatments at the time the bugs congregate in the fall are usually ineffective at controlling the problem. Using a vacuum cleaner to remove the indoor bugs is the easiest method, but the vacuum bags should be promptly removed and disposed in sealed plastic bags.

Removal of female trees nearby is an option, if the primary problem can be located. Other trees in the area may be contributing, so it may not solve the problem completely.

Control measures include spraying boxelder and silver maples in late May or early June, when the nymphs are active. One treatment is usually sufficient. Some labeled products include insecticidal soap, Tempo, Mavrik, and Sevin. Orthene is also labeled. I don't have a GDD rating for this pest.

Hope this helps.

[Note: Diagnosis of plant problems cannot be accurate when done "over the wire". Other factors may influence plant response, or other problems not mentioned/noticed may be present. Consultation on-site with a qualified plant professional is highly recommended for critical plant problems. The comments and suggestions provided here are solely intended to help educate the reader to possible problems and treatments. Mention of specific products does not imply endorsement, nor preclude the use of other suitable materials.

Pesticide recommendations should be verified locally for suitability, availability, and government approval for use. When using pesticides, READ THE LABEL. Follow all label warnings, precautions, and instructions as provided.]