How to Get Rid of Boxelder Bugs—and Stop Them From Coming Back

As the summer heat fades into cooler weather, the lower temps bring in lots of welcome changes (spooky season! pumpkin spice lattes! cozy sweaters!), but they can also usher in lots of unwelcome things, like pesky bugs seeking warmth. Meet the boxelder bug. It's often called a "box bug," a North American bug species related to the stink bug that often comes indoors in the fall. If you’ve unintentionally become a host for these insects, read on to learn how to get rid of them. 

What Are Boxelder Bugs?

Boxelder bugs are categorized as “true bugs” and belong to the same family as cicadas, stink bugs, and other insects with piercing and sucking mouthparts. You can identify these bugs by their elongated black oval bodies with reddish-orange accents. They are usually about 1⁄2-inch long, have long legs that jut out under their wings, and red eyes. Boxelder bugs are not harmful but can stain surfaces in your home and release an unpleasant smell when crushed.

How Boxelder Bugs Affect Your Outdoor Area

Boxelder bugs are generally not destructive in outdoor areas. They suck out the juice from plants and trees, but healthy plants usually show no significant damage. The bugs are named after boxelder trees, where they’re frequently found. They often feed on boxelder, maple, elms, and ash trees. Sometimes they also feed on apples and stone fruits, like plums and cherries.

“Boxhelder bugs’ feeding behavior can result in slight leaf distortion, causing leaves to curl or crinkle,” says Vincent Luca, owner of On Demand Pest Control. “While this may not have a significant impact on the health of your trees and plants, it can affect their aesthetic appeal.”

However, if you have a large number of boxelder bugs feeding on trees, it can lead to premature leaf drop, Luca says. This premature defoliation weakens the affected trees and plants, which may compromise their overall health and vitality. 

Boxelder bugs can be a nuisance in outdoor spaces when they gather in large numbers, causing an unsightly appearance. Also, their feces causes staining, which leaves a sticky substance called honeydew. Honeydew can get on leaves, walls, outdoor furniture, and other surfaces, Luca says. The sticky residue attracts dust and dirt and leads to staining on light surfaces. 

How Boxelder Bugs Affect Your Indoor Area

Boxelder bugs often flock to buildings with a lot of southern or western exposure. When the weather turns cool in the fall, they often enter homes in large numbers seeking warmth. Boxelder bugs often sneak in through small cracks, gaps, and openings in walls, doors, and windows. 

Once inside, boxelder bugs are more of a nuisance than a danger. They do not cause structural damage and do not get into food. Boxelder bugs do not carry diseases and generally do not sting or bite. However, in unusual cases, they have bitten defensively. In rare cases, boxelder bugs may trigger allergies, mild skin irritation, and respiratory symptoms in people with allergies or sensitivities, Luca says.  

One of the most noticeable effects of boxelder bugs indoors is their excrement, the sticky honeydew which can stain light-colored surfaces. 

Getting Rid of Boxelder Bugs

If you’re seeing boxelder bugs in your home, you can take these steps to get rid of boxelder bugs. There are many environmentally safe ways to prevent and ward off these pesky bugs. 

Prevention

Your first line of defense against boxelder bugs is prevention. Seal windows, doors, and cracks to keep them from crawling into your home. Make sure there are no entryways that bugs can crawl through. For outdoor protection, you can swap out plants that attract boxelder bugs with ones that do not. Boxelder, maple, elm, and ash trees can be replaced with other trees that do not feed boxelder bugs. If you don’t want to swap out your trees, prune and maintain them well, which will help reduce feeding options for boxelder bugs. 

Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth is a natural, organic insecticide that can kill and prevent boxelder bugs from entering your home. Diatomaceous earth absorbs the waxy outer layer of boxelder bugs (and other insects), causing dehydration and death. The non-toxic substance is safe for humans and pets. Spread a thin layer of diatomaceous earth at entry points, windowsills, and other bug-prone areas, advises Prerna Jain, founder of Ministry of Cleaning. “Just remember, a little goes a long way, as excessive use can impact beneficial insects too,” Jain says. 

Physical Removal

Another method to get rid of boxelder bugs is to remove them physically. This can entail trapping them by putting them in a jar or insect trap. You can then kill them or bring them far from your home to release them. If you opt to kill the bugs, take precautions, as they emit an unpleasant smell when crushed.

Vacuuming is another way to remove boxelder bugs. Since they can give off an odor when crushed, use a vacuum bag and dispose of the debris right away. To minimize the smell, use a HEPA filter vacuum and empty the bag outdoors. 

Soapy Water

Another simple way to get rid of boxelder bugs is to use a soapy water solution. Add one to two tablespoons of any liquid dish soap to water in a spray bottle. Spray the solution directly on the boxelder bugs, and their outer protection will dissolve, killing them. 

Essential Oil Repellents

Some essential oils offer a natural repellent to ward off boxelder bugs. Mint is an especially popular natural deterrent for boxelder bugs. “I love using scents like peppermint, clove, and eucalyptus to deter boxelder bugs and other unwanted visitors,” Jain says. “Mixing a few drops of your preferred essential oil with water in a spray bottle is all it takes. I spritz it in areas where I suspect these bugs might gather or attempt to sneak in.” Other natural scents that can ward off boxelders include garlic, sage, and lavender. 

Spray Plants

Spray affected plants in your outdoor areas with horticulture oils or insecticidal sprays. For a natural, non-toxic solution, use neem oil. “Neem oil serves as a natural insecticide capable of disrupting the life cycle of boxelder bugs by interfering with their growth and reproductive processes,” Luca says. To create your own neem oil spray, combine two tablespoons of neem essential oil with two cups of water. Then spray the trees and plants where boxelder bugs congregate in your yard.