Subject: What kind of bug?
Location: Illinois
March 10, 2013 3:22 am
These bugs are overwhelming us. What can we do to get rid of them? Seem to be attracted to wood.
Signature: Sandy Berg
Dear Sandy,
Eastern Boxelder Bugs or Democrat Bugs, Boisea trivittata, often enter homes in great numbers to hibernate. The best way to safeguard against this is to weatherproof your home and eliminate any small cracks and gaps where they can gain entry.
I am being overwhelmed by the Eastern Boxelder bug. They seem to thrive on wood/mulch and seem to be impervious to most sprays, even banned ones!
They seem to colonize and when they come out in warmer weather at the interface of my foundation and wooden deck I squirt gasoline down the opening. That stops them.
Apparently hot water will get the hordes off brick and other south facing siding.
Don’t waste your spray. Remove any rotting deck/flowerbed perimiters of wood etc.
G. Baker
Though they are a nuisance when plentiful, Eastern Boxelder Bugs are basically harmless.