You probably haven’t really noticed until just now: you haven’t seen a box elder bug in days. Weeks, even! Not so long ago, the suggestion that you’d go moments, much less days, without seeing box elders would have sounded ridiculous. In fall, the little red and black pests are everywhere. Then, as suddenly as they appeared… they’re gone. Obviously, you don’t miss box elder bugs, but you might find their sudden disappearance a little… suspicious. It’s just a little too fast, and a little too good to be true. Unfortunately, your instincts are right. Box elders aren’t really gone, and they certainly aren’t gone for good. Here’s where your least-favorite constant companions are this winter and why.
Why They’re Gone
Like most bugs, box elders can’t survive the freezing temperatures of winter without a place to stay warm. In fact, box elders are even more temperature-sensitive than most bugs, which is why they’re so prevalent in early fall. The moment temperatures start falling, box elders need to start looking for shelter if they’re going to survive. They seem to disappear in winter because they’re all hunkered down in their shelters, trying to stay warm. Kind of like us! Contrary to popular belief, box elder bugs never hibernate. Instead, they simply stop moving almost entirely to conserve energy and heat. Unlike true hibernators, however, box elders will “wake up” and move around during warm winter days. If the weather’s warm enough, they may even return to their fall habits, such as sunning on reflective surfaces. For the most part, however, you probably won’t see many box elders until spring.
Where They’ve Gone
You’re probably afraid of this, so we should just come right out and say it. Yes, it’s possible the box elders are sheltering in your home this winter. During fall, box elders congregate around warm areas, such as glass windows or walls with sunny exposure. As they congregate, they also spread across these surfaces. While spreading, they may find a small access point they can use to get inside a structure. The box elders inside your home this winter have likely crammed themselves into places you’d never find them. They use their surprisingly flat bodies to squeeze through tiny crevices to access hollows inside walls, floors, and insulation. Once they find a good hiding place, the box elders will likely stay put for weeks or even months at a time. Generally, box elders hide around your basement, attic, crawl spaces, or cellars. It’s very unlikely you’ll find them unless you go looking for them.Are They a Problem?
No. Box elder bugs don’t transmit diseases, attack humans, reproduce or lay eggs indoors, or cause major structural damage. At most, these bugs should be considered a minor hygiene problem. They tend leave behind excrement wherever they go, and if threaten or crushed they secrete an orangish, staining liquid. More than anything, box elders are considered a nuisance pest. They’re disruptive or annoying to have around, especially in large concentrations. We don’t blame you for disliking them! Box elders present even fewer problems during winter than they do the rest of the year. Instead of swarming or congregating, box elders hide in small groups. They’re often quite difficult to even notice. During warm weather, however, box elders can and will emerge from these hiding places. If these hiding places happen to be in your home, then they’ll be emerging into your living space. Any box elders that last through the winter indoors will also attempt to make their way outdoors come spring.
