Are Boxelder Bugs Dangerous in Des Moines?

a boxelder bug on a wooden table

Boxelder bugs. You may recognize these pests by their offensive odor they emit when disturbed or squished. Sometimes referred to as box beetles, they are about half an inch long with black and red coloring. While they are not actually beetles, they are a nuisance.

What Can Boxelder Bugs Do? 

They mainly feed on Boxelder trees which are found throughout Iowa, but boxelder bugs will also feed on Ash trees, Maple trees, and house plants. Here is what you need to know: 

  • Congregate in Large Numbers: Boxelder bugs can amass easily since their chemical defenses are highly successful at deterring predators like birds and they are not largely affected by any diseases or parasites. You will likely find them sunning themselves on trees, decorative landscaping, and the sunny sides of your home.
  • Harmless to People: Boxelder bugs are not known to bite humans and are not a danger to your pets. While their defensive odor is highly unpleasant, it’s not poisonous.
  • Seasonal Pests: They are attracted to warmth, coming out of hibernation in the spring and becoming a particular nuisance in summer. 
  • Get Inside Your Home: Boxelder bugs can feed on and damage beloved houseplants and their excrement stains light surfaces like carpets, upholstery, curtains, etc. 

Preventing Boxelder Bugs from Getting In

Like any pest, boxelder bugs can make their way into your home. Use these prevention measures to keep them out: 

  • Seal Entry Points: They will find their way into your home, quickly nesting in your walls and behind siding during the fall for winter hibernation. Use of heating during winter can trick a boxelder bug hibernating in your walls into thinking it’s spring, and they will come out of hibernation to invade your living spaces.
  • Repair Screens: Any rips or tears in window and door screens should be repaired to prevent these pests from getting inside.
  • Sweeping Away: Luckily, boxelder bugs are not dangerous and can be easily removed if they are inside your home. Simply sweep them up and dispose of them immediately.

Expert Pest Solutions with Springer

With Springer Home Professional Services, we are passionate about effective and eco-friendly pest control and are committed to the values of service, professionalism, and integrity. For over 30 years we have been dedicated to being industry leaders in environmentally conscious pest solutions, utilizing Integrated Pest Management (IPM), an eco-based strategy for long-term pest prevention. In addition, we proudly partner with the world’s largest pest control company, Rentokil, which has a target goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2040.

Our QualityPro certification ensures that all employees are continually kept up to date with the latest, most effective, techniques in the industry, so you can trust that you’re in the best possible hands. Our team of professionals will partner with you to come up with a specialized service plan that is tailored to your needs. If you are currently experiencing a Boxelder Bug invasion or would like to get ahead of it with prevention measures, contact the beetle exterminators at Springer today and let us work with you to keep your home and property free of Boxelder Bugs.

How to Prevent Asian Lady Beetles and Boxelder Bugs Inside

What Asian beetles look like in Central Iowa - Springer Professional Home Services

Here in Central Iowa, sometimes it seems that summer doesn’t quite stick around for long enough. Each year, as temperatures drop into a chilly winter, many kinds of pests seek refuge from the cold in our homes. Two of the most notable of these are the Asian lady beetle and the boxelder bug. If you don’t take the right precautions, these bugs can become quite a nuisance. You can trust the experts at Springer Professional Home Services to teach you how to avoid them in your home or to help you get rid of them once they’ve gotten out of hand!

All About Asian Lady Beetles and Boxelder Bugs

Asian lady beetles are commonly confused with ladybugs but are a different species altogether. Here are some features to look out for to be sure you’re dealing with Asian lady beetles:

  • Their color ranges from yellow to orange, to red, and they have an “M”-shaped mark on the back of their heads
  • They release a smelly, yellow substance when they are threatened or squished
  • You are more likely to find them indoors in the winter than ladybugs or many other pests

Boxelder bugs look quite different but cause the same amount of annoyance in Central Iowa homes. Here’s what to know:

  • Boxelder bugs have primarily black bodies with geometric red lines across their backs
  • They are often found around boxelder trees, as well as maple, ash, and fruit trees
  • Their feces leaves stains inside our homes

How to Prevent Asian Lady Beetles and Boxelder Bugs

Both of these insects are opportunistic pests. No crevice in your home goes unexplored come wintertime. Here is a list of ways to prevent boxelder bugs and Asian lady beetles from entering your home this year:

  1. Inspect your entire property for even the tiniest points of entry into your house
  2. Make sure that the caulk around your molding is intact—seal any cracks on roofing and siding
  3. Put screens on doors and windows or check for tears on existing screens
  4. Keep your yard tidy and your plants trimmed

Taking all of these steps will reduce your chances of an infestation in your home and the chance of these pests populating your yard in the first place.

Pest Prevention Services in Des Moines IA

Whether you want to get a head start on preventing boxelder bugs and Asian lady beetles this year or they’ve already taken over your home, Springer Professional Home Services can help. We have been serving businesses and homeowners in Central Iowa since 1989, developing the best pest management systems and technicians in the region. Don’t let Asian lady beetles or boxelder bugs in this year—contact us today for a free quote!

Prevent Halloween Pest Infestations With These Tips

Spiders are common fall pests in Des Moines IA - Springer Professional Home Services

Pest infestations during the holiday season are any property owner’s worst nightmare. With Halloween just a few weeks away, now is the time to safeguard your home from creepy-crawly pests. Many insects and pests are known to hide out in boxes stored right in your garage. Others are looking to get indoors to escape dropping temperatures outdoors here in Des Moines. Regardless of the reason, it’s important to do everything in your power to keep pests out. Keep reading for our top tips to prevent Halloween pest infestations!

Common Pests Around the Holidays

Infestations often begin when certain pests hide out in your stored boxes of decorations. Some of the most common pests include rats and mice, who squeeze their way inside for warmth, food, and shelter. Stink bugs and boxelder bugs are another common fall pest, both of which flock to the side of your home and could crawl in if given the chance. Spider populations boom this time of year, which is why you might be seeing more webs than ever. Some of these pests could be lurking in old boxes of decorations or simply hiding out in your yard, making it important to know how to protect your property from pests.

How to Prevent Halloween Pest Infestations

You may be putting fate rodents or bats out as decorations, but you definitely want to prevent the real ones from getting indoors! As you would any other time of the year, it’s important to implement preventative measures to keep fall pests away. Our top tips include:

  1. Sealing all cracks and crevices in your home with caulk
  2. Installing new window or door screens
  3. Cleaning up your yard’s foliage
  4. Keeping a tidy kitchen with sealed food containers
  5. Storing all seasonal decorations in airtight plastic bins

Seasonal Pest Infestations

No one has time to deal with pests during the holiday season. To protect your property, implement pest exclusion tactics, and make sure to be careful unpacking any boxes that have been stored away for months. If you need assistance protecting your property or already have an infestation, contact the residential exterminators at Springer Professional Home Services.