In Minnesota, boxelder bugs emerge from overwintering sites during spring as the brutal winters shift into sunnier days. The adults will be in search for low vegetation and seeds on the ground during spring and early summer, and begin mating a couple weeks after they started feeding. In mid July the females need to find seed-bearing boxelder trees (hence how they get their name) where they lay eggs on the trunks, branches and leaves. They are rarely found on male boxelder trees, and sometimes Boxelder bugs also feed on maple or ash trees. Boxelders do not harm any trees as we know and are part of the functioning ecosystem.

When the weather shifts again and the fall sets in, boxelder bugs start to leave the trees from where they were laying eggs and feeding to find protected areas for the winter. Although nymphs may be present in the fall, only fully grown adults survive the winter. During this time boxelders will become attracted to homes to find warmth. Read Full Post