Boxelder Bug

Natural Habitat

These bugs are most commonly found in areas where boxelder trees (Acer negundo) are present, which includes fields, parks, farmlands, urban areas, and suburban landscapes. In the fall, they often migrate to nearby buildings in search of warm, sheltered places to overwinter.

Diet & Feeding

Boxelder bugs primarily feed on the sap and seeds of boxelder trees, but they can also be found on other maple trees and occasionally ash trees. They use their piercing-sucking mouthparts to extract fluids from leaves, twigs, and developing seeds.

Behavior Patterns

Boxelder bugs are known for their aggregation behavior, especially in the fall when they seek shelter for overwintering. They often gather on the sunny sides of buildings, rocks, and trees. They are largely inactive during the winter months, emerging again in the spring. They fly to host trees to lay eggs. While generally harmless, large numbers can be a nuisance.

Risks & Benefits

Potential risks include being a nuisance pest due to their tendency to enter homes in large numbers in the fall. They can stain curtains, furniture, and walls with their excrement if crushed. They typically do not bite humans or pets, nor do they cause significant structural damage. As for benefits, they play a minor role in the ecosystem, and their impact is generally considered neutral to negative from a human perspective when they are in and around homes.

Identified on: 7/1/2025