Why Are Stink Bugs & Boxelder Bugs in My Home?

Boxelder bugs are no stranger to most Minnesota homeowners these days. You may have witnessed them congregating on the exteriors of your house, soaking in the rays on a sunny day. More recently, the brown marmorated stink bug has been making its way into homes.

The brown marmorated stink bug has been making its way through the neighborhoods of the Twin Cities Metro. This nuisance insect behaves much like its boxelder bug companions by hanging out on the siding of your home in the fall on those warm sunny days. And suddenly one day in late November, you realize that they have all just disappeared. Nothing better than a problem that fixes itself, right? Unfortunately, you would be wrong.

image of brown marmorated stink bug on foliage in garden

The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) is a non-native invasive pest first discovered in Minnesota in 2010. It is a nuisance pest that is increasing in population, and unlike other stink bugs found in Minnesota, BMSB prefers to overwinter in homes. Read more

Why am I getting stink bugs and boxelder bugs in the spring?

A boxelder bug crawling up the wall inside a house

Your house is not only a great place to sunbathe, it is also great at retaining heat through the winter. Stink bugs, boxelder bugs, and Asian lady beetles are all inactive in the winter months–so how is it that you find stink bugs in the winter?  As the days get shorter in fall, they wiggle their way into the cracks of your siding and windows to spend the winter. However, once those temps start to rise in the spring, it can cause any of these overwintering insects to break out of dormancy and start searching for food and warmth.

As they become active, stink bugs are attracted to the heat in your homes. A few here and there is no big deal; suck them up with the vacuum, scoop them up into the trash, or flush them down the toilet. This works until the next warm sunny day comes, and you’ve found yourself back on a chair picking up even more of these six-legged spawns from the walls. So, what are your options?

How do I get rid of stink bugs?

In the winter and spring,  you may just have to keep sucking them up with your vacuum until it warms up more consistently and they all come out of dormancy. Since they have snuggled into your walls there aren’t really a whole lot of options for controlling them coming inside (unless you’re looking for an excuse to remodel the main floor of course). Do not fret, there will be an end to this madness and summer will come and you will forget all about them, but that is exactly when you should be concerned!

Thankfully, these pests don’t pose any risk to your home or family, they are just a nuisance.

Can I prevent stink bugs and boxelder bugs?

Fall is the best, and only, time to treat for stink bugs, boxelder bugs, and Asian lady beetles through preventative measures. Keep an eye on the sunny (south and west) sides of your home later in the day. If you see these pests hanging out, you can spray them down with a hose or suck them up with a shop vac and some soapy water. 

An easier, and longer lasting, option is to just call Rainbow Pest Experts and have one of our pestologists treat the exterior of your house for you. Our treatments target the areas of your home where pests congregate preventing them from getting all cozy in your walls in the first place. The best offense is a good defense and that applies to controlling pests in your home too. 

If you are struggling with stink bugs in your home, give us a call. One of our experienced experts would be happy to discuss your options!

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