Eastern Boxelder Bug

Well would you look what I found! This bug is what you call an Eastern Boxelder Bug (Boisea trivittata). I found this little minor pest lurking near the outside of my house. I originally thought it was a milkweed bug, but after a bit of research Ifound out its correct identity.

This boxelder bug and milkweed bugs look amazingly similar. Even the nymphs(babies) look like each other. The only visible difference I found was that the adults' red markings have a slightly different pattern. The other difference is that this bug is routinely found near houses, but milkweed bugs are, as you might have guessed, found near milkweed plants.

I mention all of this because my past experience was with the milkweed bugs. I found some of the nymphs on a milkweed plant last year. I remembered some of the research I did, and the way the adults looked. The thing that tipped me off that this bug was different was the red stripe right behind its head.

These boxelder bugs are considered only minor pests because the damage they do doesn't cause any significant financial damage. They are often found on boxelder or maple trees. They feed on the juices of the leaves and flowers of these trees. There is an even more ominous aspect to these bugs though.

They gather in the thousands, and when the weather gets cold they like to find warm places. What kind of warm places? The inside of any houses they can get in. Just think of finding these in your cupboards climbing all over everything. If that doesn't bother you then take a closer look at the bugs red eyes. Now think of it staring right at you from the top of your refrigerator.

These boxelder bugs are typically found in the fall. That's when they gather in large numbers looking for a nice warm place to stay through the winter. Remember that next time you open a box of cereal. Okay, I guess that's enough of me trying to make you sick. Just remember this next time someone you know finds one of these on the side of their house. Tell them all about it.

One other odd thing about these bugs. They are supposedly also known as democrat bugs or politician bugs, I have no idea why. These insects can be killed with a simple mixture of soap and water. I wonder if that would get rid of a politician as well.

Okay, I got nothing else. See ya.