Boxelder Bug

Natural Habitat

Commonly found on boxelder, maple, and ash trees. They often seek shelter outdoors in protected areas or indoors in homes during colder months, especially on sunny, south-facing walls.

Diet & Feeding

Primarily feeds on the seeds and leaves of boxelder trees, but also maple and ash trees, using their piercing-sucking mouthparts. They can sometimes feed on the fruits of plants as well.

Behavior Patterns

Boxelder bugs are known for congregating in large numbers, especially in the fall when they seek warmth and overwintering sites. They are attracted to sunny, warm surfaces. While mostly an outdoor insect, they can become a nuisance indoors during cooler weather as they seek shelter.

Risks & Benefits

Potential risks include being a nuisance pest when they invade homes in large numbers. While they don't typically bite humans or cause structural damage, they can stain curtains, furniture, or walls with their excrement if crushed. They can also emit a foul odor when disturbed. There are no significant known benefits to humans or the ecosystem, though they are a minor part of the food chain for birds and other predators.

Identified on: 11/4/2025