Good Lifestyle

Winter leads to many potential problems for your home: low temperatures can Gent your pipes , snowstorms can knock out your power and cold air can cause your energy bill to skyrocket. But in addition to all this, you must also worry about pests that can try to make your way in your home, including a little -known bug that likes to hide in your walls during the winter. Read the rest to find out more about Boxelder Bugs, and how you can stay safe as the time cools.

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Boxelder bugs are quite common. Although they are from the western part of the United States, you can still find them throughout the eastern part of the country, according to World of pests . This black and orange insect is generally found wherever there is a boxing tree - this is where it takes its name, naturally.

"Appointed according to the Boxelder tree where they are commonly found, the Bogs Boxelder are real bugs '' in the scientific order will hemipte, the same order as the stinking bugs, the stars and the aphids," Emma Grace Crumble , A Expert entomologist Work with Mosquito Squad. "These real insects are strictly herbivores, and their piercing / sucking oral pieces allow them to attack and eat seeds and boxwood leaves as well as fruit trees."

In other words, Boxelder Bugs "cannot bite you in the same way as something like a wasp or an ant could catch them to chew on your home or your furniture," according to Charles Van Rees , PHD, conservation scientist, naturalist and founder of the Gulo in nature Blog.

But that does not mean that Boxelder Bugs is something that you don't have to worry about, especially in winter.

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Although these insects should not bother you outside, the real problem occurs when the colder weather starts to roll.

"Like their cousins, the Boxelder insects survive winter as adults by hiding in dry and hot places where they can do something like hibernation," explains Van Rees.

During the summer months, this pest can hang on the exterior walls of your house to obtain the shadow of the sun, according to Crlumbley. But as soon as winter strikes, they can quickly start to sneak in inside your house.

"Boxer insects often invade houses into large groups to try to seek shelter in cold weather," she warns. "This is when most of the Boxelder bug problems occur."

THE BOG BOXELDER search Because the heat can lead them to gather around places like your windows and doors. They can also go to basements, garages and hangars, according to the Farmer's almanac.

"But once inside, they will look for non -disturbed hiding places, especially the interior walls or in the dark corners," adds Van Rees.

While Boxelder Bugs will not cause physical damage to your home or do not constitute a threat to your health, experts Farmer's almanac Warn that a large invasion can quickly become a major nuisance inside, as these insects can leave red spots on your clothes or sheets.

In this spirit, it is important to know how to stay safe: "As for most insect invaders, the best strategy is to prevent these insects from entering your home," advises Crumbley.

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According to Van Rees, one of the simplest ways to prevent boxelder bugs from coming to your home for heat is to "limit their access", according to Van Rees. "Keep doors and windows closed or use screens," he advises.

You should also make sure that the foundation of your home is intact to prevent them from sneaking this way, adds Crlley.

"Check the foundations of your home for all gaps, cracks, holes or other unwanted entry points where insects can easily enter," she said. "Resegence if necessary."

Depending on the risk of these insects Farmer's almanac .

"The regular maintenance of these plants will help minimize the potential habitat for the bugs of the elders of the box and make your court less welcoming," explains the experts.

You can also consider removing boxelder trees from your courtyard - although Crumbley says that it is "less effective" to prevent these bugs from being around your lawn or your home.

Although the best safety method is to prevent Boxed Bugs from entering your home first, Van Rees says that your second best option is to try to find them before hiding.

But do not go directly for killing if you see a run near you. "The Boxelder bugs are large and will leave a decent brand if you try to crush them, and once threatened, Boxelder Bugs emits a strong and stinking odor to dissuade predators," warns Crumbley.

Instead, she recommends using a tool that most of us already have at home: a vacuum cleaner.

"The use of this to suck up Boxelder Bugs is a quick and clean method to eliminate a large number of your space," says Crlley. "Make sure you have the dryer bag and clean your vacuum cleaner far from the house to avoid reinfestation."

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