Warmer temperatures bring out influx of boxelders

Oct 17, 2017 | 1:00 PM

North Battleford area residents may notice an increase of a beetle-like insect around their homes and offices these days known as the boxelder bug, or maple bug. 

Cedric Gillott, an entomologist and an emeritus professor in the biology department of the University of Saskatchewan, based in Saskatoon, said the bugs are appearing in high numbers across the province at this time of the year as they mass together in search of a hibernation place.

They can be seen anywhere, on the sunny sides of buildings, looking for cracks and crevices for warmth and protection over the winter.

Gillott said these bugs are nothing to be alarmed about, however, and are more of a nuisance pest. 

“They are perfectly harmless,” said Gillott, adding they can be “a blooming nuisance.” 

The boxelder or maple bug primarily feeds on the boxelder tree — a Manitoba Maple tree — which is common in Saskatchewan. 

Gillott said there is currently a rise of these bugs in the province and extending into the U.S.

“For the last few years we seem to have seen an increase in numbers,” he added.

The expert recommends people don’t squish the bugs however, since they will emit a foul odour.

The little critters however don’t cause any damage to local fauna.

“They suck the sap of trees, but trees are easily capable of withstanding all the boxelder bugs,” Gillott said. 

He added, however it’s near impossible to get rid of these bugs.

People can use commercial sprays with insecticides to kill the boxelder bugs, but they will only be able to kill a small portion of these insects because there are so many.

“No sooner have you got rid of them in your yard, then there will be more coming from a neighbour’s yard,” Gillott said.

“There is no simple remedy to get rid of them I’m afraid.”

After the bugs go into hibernation over the winter they will emerge in the spring and will immediately head back to the Maple trees to mate and reproduce once again.

 

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

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