As seasons change and temperatures drop, pests seek out new living arrangements to survive the cold. Boxelder bugs and Asian beetles often become nuisances in the fall as they search for overwintering sites. One common misconception about pest control is that if it hits a certain temperature outside, these pests are gone for good. They might have a hard time surviving outdoors, but your heated home is just the warm and toasty invitation these pests are looking for.
Both Boxelder bugs and Asian beetles are known to swarm houses when temperatures change. You’ll often find them hanging out on the sunny side of your home to capitalize on the heat. Asian beetles can invade a home through doors, windows, siding, and vents because their bodies are small enough to enter tight crevasses. Boxelder bugs, on the other hand, can’t get in as easily because they are larger in size.
Both pests will crawl into cracks and crevices around your home and sneak in under siding, through open windows and broken screens, and under gaps in interior doors to survive cold outdoor temperatures.
Once inside, Asian beetles tend to congregate in dark, secluded places to keep warm. You might find them in attics, closets, crawl spaces, or storage areas. They’re particularly prone to hiding behind frames and siding.
Boxelder bugs are easily recognized by their black and red exteriors. They can be found near trees during the hot summer months and feed on leaves, flowers, and seed pods.
Asian beetles, first introduced to North America in 1916 to combat aphids, look almost identical to ladybugs. They are best distinguished by their pale, orange-colored shells and black spots and distinctive black “M”-shaped marking on their otherwise whiteheads. Unlike ladybugs, Asian beetles “bite” by scraping the skin they land on.
Your home is a pest’s primary target for an upgraded living situation. Sealing off common entry points and having the interior and exterior of your home treated for pests can greatly reduce or eliminate pest issues. If you do find Boxelder bugs or Asian beetles in your home, it’s best to vacuum them up rather than squashing them. They both can release a foul odor as a defense mechanism when squashed.
A varied treatment and pest control product placement plan can keep your home pest-free this winter. We treat the exterior of your home to prevent pests from surviving long enough to nest and breed in your home. Interior treatments like wall dusting can also get rid of pests that already made it into your home. Don’t let Boxelder bugs and Asian beetles overwinter in your home this season. Call Complete Pest Solutions today!