Box Elder Bugs and New Jersey Trees

Box Elder Bugs are commonly found in New Jersey trees. These insects feed on the leaves, flowers, and seed pods of the box elder tree–their namesake. Box Elder Bugs also eat other types of soft-bodied plants such as maple and ash trees. While these bugs are not typically harmful to humans or pets, they can become a nuisance when they congregate in large numbers on buildings or homes. To reduce the box elder bug population near your home, it’s important to remove and eliminate available food sources for these pests, such as fallen leaves, twigs, overripe fruit, and flowers. Trimming back shrubs and trees can also help keep their populations at bay. If infestations become too severe, there are professional pest control companies that can be called to handle the issue. Taking these proactive steps can help minimize the chances of having a box elder bug problem in your home or garden.

It is also beneficial to identify and understand the lifecycle of box elder bugs in order to better manage them. These insects typically have one generation per year, with eggs laid in spring and adults emerging in early summer. The adults overwinter before laying their eggs again in the spring. By understanding the lifecycle of these bugs, it becomes easier to control them by targeting certain stages. For example, using an insecticide when adult bugs are present can help reduce their population.

By taking the necessary steps to keep box elder bugs away from your home, you can successfully reduce their population and prevent them from becoming a nuisance. The key is to identify food sources for these insects and eliminate or minimize them when possible, as well as understand their lifecycle so that targeted pest control can be used when needed. With the right measures in place, you can keep box elder bug problems under control.

To learn more about how we can help you prevent or identify any issues with your trees caused by box elder bugs contact us here at Precision Tree and Landscape.