Box Elder Bugs

midlf · Oct 25, 2005

I was told that they are called Box Elder bugs because they smell like box elder when you crush them. A google search turns up the following: Box Elder bug link

So I guess what I heard is not the reason for the name. Note the reference to silver maples.

Jagmandave · Oct 25, 2005

Here's a pic of the box elder tree leaf

Box Elder - Branches with 3 leaves shown; each having 3 leaflets. Same as Maple leaves.

Cottonhawk · Oct 26, 2005

Thanks for the pic. At least I will be able to identify the Box Elder tree if I see one. We do have a lot of maple trees on the ranch.

BloomingtonMike · Oct 31, 2005

Last year I was swarmed with the orange lady bugs - this year I have not had a s many yet. I have had a dozen or so Box Elder bugs but not a swarm - I did not remember having them last year.

What gets rid of the orange lady bugs? Also - Do they bite? My family is convinced they do but I have not had one bite me yet.

Next fall critter is the field mice oving in. Traps are already working this year. My wife is alergic to cats and my dog does not like them either plus have a busy road close by so do not want to kill one.

KubotaSteve · Oct 31, 2005

It sounds as if those are the lady asian beetles. Yes they do bite. They eat a lot of aphids and other insects that can damage a garden. I've tried killing them with all sorts of things. They don't like bee spray at all!!!!

djradz · Oct 31, 2005

I've found a few other things that kill them too. Unfortuneately, when you have thousands and thousands of them swarming around your house and trying to get in, or at least behind the vinyl siding, it seems pointless to try and kill them all. I'm wondering if anyone knows of anything they truly "don't like", and that would repel them. It would be OK if it killed them too, but mostly, I'd just like to keep them away.