Are Boxelder Bugs Taking Over Your Colorado Springs Home This Fall?

If you’ve discovered a bunch of black and red bugs hanging out on the south-facing side of your home or trying to get indoors, it’s box elder bugs. Unfortunately, these pests have no intention of going anywhere – at least not while the weather continues to get chillier. Read on to learn more about boxelder bugs and why they’re looking for a way into your home this fall.  

Why you’re finding boxelder bugs in and around your home

Boxelder bugs are one of many overwintering insects in Colorado. Rather than be exposed to wintry elements, these nuisance bugs move indoors once the cooler weather arrives and take shelter in protected places such as in wall voids, under windows, and around foundations.

They’re annoying but not destructive 

Although they have been known to stain light-colored fabrics and could possibly emit a foul odor if crushed, box elder bugs are mostly a nuisance pest that just wants to stay warm during the winter season.

Another point in their favor, boxelder bugs do not reproduce during this period of time. They might try to eat your houseplants but all things considered and unlike the behavior of other overwintering pests (here’s looking at you, mice and cockroaches), they’re relatively harmless. Once spring and warmer weather arrives, they’ll head back outdoors.

If boxelder bugs can get in, so can’t other fall pests

Yup, it’s true; if box elder bugs can squeeze through cracks, gaps, and other openings on the exterior of your home, so can’t other bugs and even rodents. Additionally, those other pests may not treat your home quite as well as boxelder bugs and may even introduce health and safety risks and inflict damage. Common fall pests in Colorado to be on the lookout for include, but are not limited to:

• Clover mites
• Conifer seed bugs
• Mice
• Roaches
• Silverfish
• Spiders
• Stink bugs

How to keep fall pests out of your Colorado Springs home

To keep house-infesting pests out of your Colorado Springs home this fall, we highly recommend signing up for pest control services that include an exterior treatment; after all, most pest problems originate outdoors.

You can also do your part to prevent insects and rodents from taking over your home by making it and the surrounding property less appealing to pests.

Pest-proofing tips to try out this fall

• Do not store firewood on the deck, porch, or sides of your home.
• Before bringing firewood inside, inspect it for bugs.
• Seal off all entry points on the exterior of your home.
• Clear gutters of leaves and other debris and make sure downspouts point away from the foundation.
• Fix leaking pipes and appliances and make sure all plumbing and moisture issues are addressed.
• Install or replace weather stripping around doors and windows.

Ongoing home pest control services that keep pests out no matter the season

If you’re a resident of Colorado Springs, Boulder, Denver, or Northern Colorado and are looking for ongoing home pest control services, reach out to EnviroPest today! As one of Colorado’s oldest and largest pest control companies, you can count on us to keep pests away all year round. Our pest control specialists are highly trained and fully licensed and ready to exterminate your existing pest problem and prevent future activity from occurring. Check out our home pest control plan below for more details or to get started, simply fill out the form or pick up the phone!