American Pest Acquires Atlas Exterminator Co. Inc.,
09/08/2020
Fulton, MD, August 31, 2020—American Pest, Washington DC’s leading provider in modern, preventative pest management, acquires Atlas Ext...
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You probably have box elder bugs. Plague is a word folks often use when they write to tell us about a box elder bug problem--along with other descriptive words, like massive, everywhere and all over. When we start seeing these words, it is pretty clear, much in the same way a mechanic can tell what is wrong with your car when you say, "It's making a clunk, clunk, kachunk sound." Let's take a look at this problem and see what we can figure out.
First of all, box elder bugs aren't a danger to humans. They are not known to bite or transmit diseases. They're just disgusting and generally troublesome when they get into the wrong places, like on the filter to your tankless water heater or inside the exhaust to your dryer. They are also especially troublesome if they find a way into your home--staining curtains, walls, upholstery and clothing with their feces.
Exclusion: These are things you as a homeowner can do to keep box elder bugs from gaining entry into your home.
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Ensure that all your window and door screens are in good working order, especially on the ground floor.
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Repair any cracks or gaps in your foundation or around window and door framing.
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Cover dryer exhaust and other openings with a screen mesh that will keep these bugs from getting inside.
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Reduce shaded and moist areas near your home by cutting back bushes and shrubs from your exterior walls.
Exterior spray: When you don't want box elder bugs crawling around on the siding of your house, looking for a place of refuge for the long, cold winter, you need to put something on your walls that will kill these bugs. Pesticides are not needed. These bugs can be killed with soapy water. Get a spray bottle, fill it with water, and squeeze in a small amount of dish soap. An application of soapy water will kill box elder bugs on contact, and residual spray left on your home can ward off new bugs from congregating on your walls or in sensitive areas.
If you have a large infestation of box elder bugs or you're not sure how these pests are getting into your home, it is time to call a professional. Let one of our certified technicians inspect your home, identify entry points and take care of these infesting bugs for you. Box elder bugs can feel like a plague, but you don't have to let these bugs overwhelm you or damage your property. We can help.
