Box Elder Bugs

What Is The Box Elder Bug?

Whether you would have known it at the time or not, an encounter with the infamous box elder bug would have stuck out in your mind. This is because the bug has distinctive flat wings with red markings that make it completely stand out from the pack. It looks like something out of one of the new Star Wars movies. You might not have known that it was a box elder bug at the time, but just looking at it would have told you that you were dealing with something special. While these bugs can only grow to be about ½ inch in size, they stand out because of these distinctive characteristics. They get their name from the fact that they commonly feed on the seeds of box elder trees, but they have also been found feeding on Ash trees, Maple trees, and even Cherry trees.

Why Do People In Oklahoma City Have Box Elder Bugs?

If you have box elder bugs in your home it probably won’t be until the late summer that you start to notice them. This is because this is about the time they usually enter homes or buildings, looking for shelter from the upcoming winter months. When the weather starts to grow colder, they’ll venture into the property and take shelter in nearby cracks and crevices. They hide here until the warmer weather starts to come back out

Are Box Elder Bugs Dangerous?

While there is nothing good about a box elder bug infestation, at least you don’t have to worry about them being a threat. They are nothing more than a nuisance when it comes right down to it. They don’t bite, they don’t sting, and they don’t transmit diseases. All in all, they don’t pose any risks at all.

How Do You Get Rid Of Box Elder Bugs?

Just because box elder bugs aren’t a threat, it doesn’t mean you want them in your Oklahoma City property. The sight of them can be enough to drive some people up the wall. That being said, eliminating them can be quite a task. This is because they are in your home as a means of survival. They can’t handle the winter weather and forcing them back outside in such conditions will be like forcing them to their death. Of course, they are going to fight tooth and nail to survive. At the first sight of an infestation, you’ll want to get in touch with a pest management professional. We are always available and more than willing to help. All you have to do is pick up the phone and give us a call! We’ll be there in a hurry.

Can I Get Rid Of Box Elder Bugs Myself?

With the cost of pest management services and the time it takes to successfully eliminate these bugs, it only makes sense that one would want to tackle the problem on their own. Unfortunately, this isn’t something we would recommend. It’ll likely only end up costing you more money and time in the long run. While these bugs aren’t a threat and don’t transmit diseases, they can be difficult to eliminate from the property. They’ll delve deep down into the cracks and crevices of your foundation, trying to ride out the winter months. The thing is, elimination usually requires the utilization of pesticides. Pesticides can be extremely dangerous in the wrong hands.

What’s even more is, the over-the-counter pesticides just aren’t as effective. They don’t contain all the pertinent ingredients. The ingredients needed to eliminate boxelder bugs are illegal for anyone without a certification.

How Soon Can You Get Here?

Just because box elder bugs don’t pose a threat and don’t transmit diseases, you don’t want them flying around your home for any longer than necessary. This is something we understand, and given the time that it’ll take to successfully eliminate the infestation, we’ll jump right on the problem as quickly as possible. All you have to do is give our offices a call, set up an appointment, and we’ll get someone out to the property within the next 24 to 48 hours. That being said, we do have emergency services available for those in need.

Maybe you have some questions about our treatment options. Whatever the situation is, just feel free to give us a call. We always have someone standing by, ready to assist.

Are There Safe Alternatives?

You just learned that pesticides are the go-to method when it comes to box elder bug elimination. While this is true, you should also be aware of the fact that there are now greener, more eco-friendly options available. We do utilize these methods and offer them whenever possible. While they are not entirely applicable in all situations, we offer them whenever possible. When we do utilize pesticides, we do it with the utmost care and professionalism. We only utilize EPA-certified and licensed techs to administer these chemicals. If you want to find out if your property qualifies for eco-friendly treatments, give us a call and we’ll send someone out to assess the property.

If you have any other pest control issues please check out other services.