Boxelder Bug

Natural Habitat

Commonly found in and around female boxelder trees, but can also be found on maple and ash trees. Often found in homes and buildings in the fall as they seek shelter for winter.

Diet & Feeding

Mainly feed on the seeds and leaves of female boxelder trees. They use their piercing-sucking mouthparts to drink the tree's fluids.

Behavior Patterns

They are most active during the warmer months and often congregate on the sunny sides of buildings or trees. In the fall, they seek out cracks and crevices in homes to overwinter.

Risks & Benefits

They are primarily a nuisance pest as they do not sting or transmit diseases. While they can stain surfaces with their excrement if crushed, they are generally harmless to humans and pets. They do not cause significant damage to the trees they feed on.

Identified on: 2/13/2026