Entomologist’s tips on how to prevent boxelder bugs

ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) – With temperatures gradually cooling down within fall's arrival, pest control businesses are in the thick of it as they help residents dealing with bug invasions.

According to Adam's Pest Control Entomologist Dr. Mohammed El Damir, the business he works for is currently booked for the next two weeks. He stated it's typical to receive such high volumes of customers around this time.

"I would say late August and early September are the times when you have to worry about fall invading insects in general.," Dr. El Damir said. "People start to see them around houses, around the the premises of their buildings, and then eventually when temperature really goes down, they get into the homes."

The entomologist shared boxelder bugs are among the most common pests in southeast Minnesota. Like most pests, he said these bugs are seeking warm spaces to hide in as they cannot survive out in the cold.

"Boxelder bugs do not cause any health problems and they do not cause any structural damage," Dr. El Damir said. "Basically, they are nuisance. The problem is if you are at a health institution like a hospital, or you are at a daycare, or you are a food preparation manufacturer, you can't have boxelder bugs flying around at anytime, you know? They will be really in a big number and they will be a nuisance."

To prevent them from entering, Dr. El Damir suggested sealing any holes, even if it is small. He recommended using approved pesticides to spray on the exterior of your building, especially on the south and west side which is the sunniest.

"If you allow them to stay inside the house for a long time and the weather outside becomes not favorable for their existence, then they're gonna live in the cracks and crevices and they will become a nuisance throughout the winter. If you find that only a few of them made it into the home, you can use a vacuum."

When found inside your home, Dr. El Damir advised people to remove boxelder bugs immediately, as it will become increasingly difficult the longer you delay it. If large numbers of them are present, he suggested contacting pest control.