Box Elder Beatles
Spring is here, and that means a lot of bugs and insects are finding there way out. One bug that has been a particular nascence to my family has been the Box Elder Beatle. These bugs swarm in masses on the sunny side of our house and have been annoying since we moved in.
I have tried spraying them with various insecticides that have worked a little, but recently came across a great tip from a site called Whats That Bug.
The solution is to spray the bugs with a solution of dish detergent and water. How simple can you get? I gave this a try, and sure enough the bugs just dropped off the house.
I want to give this a more thorough test to see if it is a real solution for the Box Elder problem that so many people have. I will provide an update shortly.
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6 Responses to “Box Elder Beatles”
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Being devistated by these box elder creatures. Tried using dishwashing liquid and water, and it does work. Is there anything to keep them from comming back. they are getting inside and are a very big problem. Any help would be appreciated
Tom, I ended up hiring a pest control service. They power washed our house with a chemical to keep the bugs from nesting over the winter. We did this for 2 years now and it really has helped keep the box elders down.
The cost was not very high and I felt better to have a professional do it than try this myself.
Vacume. Hours of it. Repeatedly. Killed, without the problems caused by chemicals in the water (well) and detergent mix. Let you know if it makes a dent in the long run. The theory is if I can get the population down, it may be controlable. No Manitoba Maples around, but cedar.
Tim. As reported below I vacuumed. My house is darkly stained cedar and they all congregated on the south side and the white trim and gutters, so it was relatively easy. I’m on a well so spraying was not an option because of the potential chemical damage on the windows and bleaching of the sideing. Three days when the sun was out, a few times per day….and the population is way down. I had tens of thousands I’d estimate. Now dozens at most. You can spray your house, but even it works the bugs came from somewhere and will return.
I have suffered with these bugs now for 7 years.
I have had professionals come out at least twice a year. I have seen them throughout out town in various areas. There just does not seem to be any control over them. I will try the dish soap and see if it works. Any more advise, please advise
Some years the bugs are worse then others but the spraying does help. Maple trees certainly help lure them to your home. You may try cutting them back and keeping the area around your home clear of maple seeds and leaves.