How to Get Rid of Boxelder Bugs: Complete Guide for Homeowners

Last updated: March 5, 2026

By James — 25-year pest control industry veteran

Boxelder bugs are one of the most common fall-invading pests in the United States. As temperatures drop, they congregate by the hundreds on south-facing walls of homes and find their way inside through tiny gaps to spend the winter in wall voids. While completely harmless, their sheer numbers make them a major nuisance. Getting rid of boxelder bugs is primarily about prevention, because once they are inside your walls, there is little you can do until spring.

Identifying Boxelder Bugs

Boxelder bugs are easy to identify:

• About half an inch long as adults
• Black body with distinctive red or orange markings along the edges of their wings
• Flat, oval-shaped body
• Nymphs are smaller and bright red
• Found in large groups, especially on sunny exterior walls in fall

They are sometimes confused with stink bugs, which are a similar overwintering pest but have a shield-shaped body and brown coloring. Boxelder bugs and stink bugs share identical invasion patterns and prevention methods.

Why Boxelder Bugs Invade Your Home

Boxelder bugs spend summer feeding on boxelder trees, maple trees, and ash trees. In fall, they seek warm overwintering sites and are attracted to:

• South and west-facing walls. These walls absorb the most afternoon sun and radiate warmth, drawing boxelder bugs in large numbers.
• Light-colored surfaces. Light-colored siding and trim reflect heat and attract more bugs than dark surfaces.
• Gaps around the home. They enter through cracks around windows, gaps under doors, spaces around utility lines, damaged screens, and unsealed vents.

Once inside the wall voids, they enter a dormant state for winter. On warm days, heated walls can wake them, causing them to emerge inside the home in search of a way outdoors. This is why you may see boxelder bugs inside your home on sunny winter days.

Why You Should Not Crush Boxelder Bugs

When crushed, boxelder bugs stain surfaces with a reddish-orange pigment that is difficult to remove from fabric, walls, and curtains. They also release a foul chemical odor as a defense mechanism. Vacuum them up or sweep them into a container instead of squishing them.

Removal Methods

Vacuum with a disposable bag

The most effective indoor removal method is vacuuming. Use a vacuum with a disposable bag and discard the bag immediately in an outdoor trash bin. If using a bagless vacuum, empty it outdoors. Do not leave dead boxelder bugs inside the vacuum as they can attract other pests like carpet beetles.

Soapy water spray

A simple mixture of dish soap and water in a spray bottle kills boxelder bugs on contact. Spray directly on bugs congregating on exterior walls. This is effective for reducing outdoor populations but will not reach bugs already inside wall voids.

Sweep into a bucket

For large groups on exterior walls, sweep them into a bucket of soapy water. This is more practical than spraying when dealing with hundreds of bugs.

Sealing Entry Points (Most Important Step)

Prevention through exclusion is far more effective than treatment after the bugs are inside. Before fall arrives (ideally in August or September):

• Caulk around all windows and door frames, especially on south and west-facing walls
• Install or replace door sweeps on all exterior doors
• Screen attic vents, soffit vents, and gable vents with fine mesh
• Seal gaps around utility lines, pipes, and conduits entering the home
• Repair or replace damaged window screens
• Seal cracks in the foundation and around the sill plate

Should You Remove Boxelder Trees?

Removing female boxelder trees (the ones that produce seed pods) eliminates the primary food source and significantly reduces the boxelder bug population near your home. However, this is not always practical if the trees are on neighboring properties, if they are large established shade trees, or if there are maple and ash trees nearby that also support the bugs. Tree removal is most effective when you have a single female boxelder tree on your property and no other host trees nearby.

Professional Treatment

The most effective professional approach is an exterior barrier treatment applied in early fall (September) before boxelder bugs enter the walls. A residual insecticide is applied to south and west-facing walls, around windows, door frames, and entry points. This kills bugs on contact as they land on treated surfaces.

Spraying inside the home after boxelder bugs are already in wall voids is largely ineffective because the spray cannot reach the bugs. The best interior treatment is simply vacuuming them up as they emerge.

Professional treatment for boxelder bugs costs $100 to $250 for a one-time exterior application. For general pricing, see our pest control cost guide. If you are deciding whether professional help is worth it, see our guide on when to call an exterminator.

Spring Emergence

In spring, boxelder bugs that survived the winter in your walls will emerge and try to get back outdoors. This is normal and temporary. They are not breeding inside your home, and the activity will stop within a few weeks as they find their way outside. You can help by opening windows or doors on the side of the house where you see the most activity.

Frequently Asked Questions