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🌳 Boxelder Bugs in Calgary: Are They Related to the Boxelder Tree?

Pest control image of a boxelder bug on house siding
As the weather cools in Calgary, you might start to notice clusters of black and red insects gathering on sunny walls, windows, and around doors. These are Boxelder Bugs—a common nuisance pest in Alberta. But have you ever wondered why they seem to appear out of nowhere each fall? The answer lies in their close connection to the Boxelder Tree.

🐞 What Are Boxelder Bugs?

Boxelder bugs are black insects with distinctive red or orange markings along their wings and thorax. They don’t bite or sting, but they can invade homes in large numbers, especially during autumn. While they don’t cause structural damage, their droppings can stain walls, curtains, and furniture, and their presence can be overwhelming if left unchecked.

🌲 Their Relationship with Boxelder Trees

Boxelder bugs get their name from their primary host: the Boxelder tree (a type of maple). These trees are common in Calgary and throughout Alberta, making the city an ideal environment for boxelder bugs to thrive.

  • Feeding Habits: Boxelder bugs feed mainly on the seeds, leaves, and flowers of boxelder trees.

  • Breeding Grounds: During spring and summer, they lay eggs on the bark, leaves, and surrounding areas of these trees.

  • Seasonal Movement: When temperatures drop in the fall, they leave the trees in search of warm places—often your home’s exterior walls, attics, or cracks—to overwinter.

🏡 Why Boxelder Bugs Invade Homes in Calgary

Calgary’s seasonal temperature shifts make homes attractive overwintering sites. Boxelder bugs often enter through small gaps around windows, vents, doors, and siding. Once inside, they become a nuisance but remain mostly inactive during the winter, emerging again in spring.

🧼 How to Manage Boxelder Bugs

Here are a few effective ways to reduce infestations:

  1. Seal Entry Points – Caulk cracks, repair screens, and weather-strip doors and windows.

  2. Remove Attractants – If practical, trimming or removing Boxelder trees near buildings can help reduce populations.

  3. Vacuum Regularly – Use a vacuum to remove any bugs that make it indoors; avoid crushing them to prevent stains.

  4. Professional Treatment – Applying targeted exterior treatments before they enter your home can greatly reduce overwintering populations.

✅ Professional Boxelder Bug Control in Calgary

If you’re dealing with persistent boxelder bug infestations, Pest Pro Exterminator offers expert exterior perimeter treatments and exclusion solutions to keep these pests out for good.

📞
Contact us today for effective boxelder bug control and prevention in Calgary.

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