As we prepare for fall and winter in Minnesota, it’s time to start thinking about all the pests that want to invade our warm and cozy homes! One of the bigger nuisances that we have to deal with year after year is the box elder bug. At EcoTech, each year we’re called by countless customers because of an infiltration of large colonies of box elder bugs.
If you’re a resident of the Minneapolis area, you probably are accustomed to Boxelder bug swarms in the fall. There are a number of reasons the number of calls for Boxelder bug extermination in the fall continues to rise here at EcoTech. If you’re experiencing an infestation of Boxelder bugs in or around your Minneapolis home, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team of experienced exterminators today.
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 →
Box elder bugs are commonly found in Minneapolis and the surrounding suburbs. Wherever box elder trees as well as maple trees reside, the Box elder bugs will follow. In the warmer months, these bugs hang out on trees, bricks, decks, siding, etc., so they can get direct sunlight. During the warmer months of the year, these pests lay eggs, causing more and more Boxelder bugs to hang around your property. The real issues occur when the winter months hit. Often times, Boxelder bugs enter into homes through the tiniest holes or cracks and get into the walls of your home to help insulate and keep themselves warm during the colder months of the year. Next thing you know, your home has been infested with Boxelder bugs. Rather than trying to remove these unwanted pests on your own, leave it up to our experienced team at Eco Tech.
This time of year it is very common to notice an uptick of box elder bugs coming into your home or business. These bugs are trying to find a warm place to live in order to survive the cold Minnesota winter. Box elder bugs measure about 1/2-inch long, and they are mostly black with orange or red markings, including three stripes on the prothorax, the area right behind the head. They do not cause harm to humans or pets but they can stain surfaces inside your home or property with their excrement. Eco Tech, a leading natural pest control company serving the Anoka, MN area, specializes in the effective elimination of box elder bugs from the interior of your home or business. Our team has been in the pest control business for more than 15 years and uses organic and all natural pest control solutions that are safe for the environment, your family and your pets.
To Our Valued Clients,
Our employees and our customers are our top priority, and we are doing everything we can to ensure the health and safety of each.
As deemed by the Minnesota State Government and the MN Dept of Health, we are a essential business, and will remain open and in full operation.
In addition to our standard levels of sterilization and disinfection between each customer visit, our technicians are disinfecting themselves and equipment throughout the day.
Our technicians are practicing social distancing, and will not be greeting or shaking customer hands at this time.
All estimates, recommendations, payments, etc. can and will be made contact-free at this time.
We realize that some may feel this is an overreaction to the current situation, but we would rather error on taking precautions beyond the currently stated CDC recommendations to make every effort to ensure the health of our community.
Sincerely,
The Entire Ecotech Team