Boxelder bugs, sometimes mistakenly referred to as stink bugs, are considered nuisance bugs by their sheer numbers alone.

These black-bodied, red-striped beetles appear in large numbers in the fall, seeking a warm spot to overwinter. They resurface in the spring as the weather warms.

Boxelder bugs seldom cause damage to plants or property, but they can stain fabric and carpets during more active times. Prevention, rather than elimination, is the best way to control boxelder bugs.

Boxelder bugs

Step 1: Rake up leaves, debris and fallen seed pods from the yard. Remove weeds and overgrown vegetation around the perimeter of the home. Cover wood piles and store patio furniture and outdoor equipment.

Step 2: Use caulk, weather stripping, expanding foam, screen and/or steel wool to seal up cracks and crevices on the exterior of the home. Seal around windows, doors, vents and utility entrance points.

Step 3: Drown congregating boxelder bugs by spraying trees, shrubs and siding with a garden hose on a regular basis when bugs appear.

Step 4: Kill bugs by spraying them directly with a solution of 1/2 cup laundry detergent mixed with 1 gallon of warm water. This soapy solution has no residual effect, but is effective when sprayed directly onto boxelder bugs. Soap may stain wood siding and could be harmful to plants. Use caution when spraying.

Step 5: For areas where plants are a concern, spray bugs and vegetation with an insecticidal soap instead of a laundry soap solution. Insecticidal soap can be made at home by grating or shaving 1/4 bar of Fels-Naptha laundry soap into 1 quart of hot water. Stir until the soap is dissolved. Store the mixture, properly labeled, in an airtight container. Mix 1 teaspoon of the mixture with 1 quart of water. Spray bugs and vegetation to reduce the boxelder population.

Step 6: Inside the home, sweep and vacuum accumulating bugs. Do not squish the bugs, as they are known to release an unpleasant pungent odor. Dispose of the bugs appropriately to eliminate their return.

Step 7: Pesticides are largely ineffective for controlling boxelder bugs. Some relief from fall migration may be achieved by spraying window sills and door thresholds with a residual insecticide containing pyrethrins, permethrin or deltamethrin. Sprinkling diatomaceous earth around the perimeter of the home and in crawl spaces has also been shown to reduce bug populations to some extent.

— Have a home improvement question you want answered by the Fix-It Chick? Email it to Linda Cottin at LawrenceLiving@ljworld.com.