Box-Elder Bugs Bugging Southern Gila County
August 27, 2008
In recent weeks, Globe - Miami and southern Gila County area has been invaded by box elder-bugs. Gas stations, car washes, and even in our neighborhoods, these pesky little bugs seem to be taking over the community. So why now? Well, box-elder bugs operate on a ten-year cycle. Between years seven and ten (we are in year eight), the bugs tend to be the most reproductively active, creating an abnormal population.Box-elder bugs eat a host of plants. However, they tend to favor box-elder seed pods found on female box-elder trees. If there is a female box-elder tree in your area, the odds of having an infestation increases.The bugs seek shelter in protected places. Typical shelter areas include cracks or crevices in walls, doors, under windows, and around foundations.Several tips for controlling boxelder infestations include caulking or sealing all cracks and spaces found in your home’s foundation, siding, windows, and doors, exterior insecticide treatments, and soap mixtures.
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