Box elder beetles

[missmuffet]

Another infestation of box elder beetles has started on my house. They come in the autumn and into the winter. My house was covered with them. I am doing my best to combat them.

[NConly]

Spray Boxelder Bugs with Dish Soap

To make your own boxelder bug spray, mix a tablespoon of dish soap into a spray bottle of water. As you find large groups of boxelder beetles clustered together, spray them with the mixture. You’ll kill boxelder bugs by saturating them fully with the water and dish soap mixture.

Spray the congregation of bugs until they disperse. Then, carefully scoop up and dispose of any bugs you’ve killed. Be careful not to crush them—when crushed, boxelder bugs release an unpleasant odor. In fact, their scent is why adult boxelder bugs don’t have many predators—their taste is just as bad as their smell. Spiders, for example, may eat a boxelder bug in a pinch, but it’s not their first choice of cuisine.

One can buy the sprayer bottle at lowes or others that will mix the soap with the garrden hose water.

[NConly]

you may need more than one bottle of dish soap.

[missmuffet]

40 minutes ago, NConly said:

you may need more than one bottle of dish soap.

I have a high power large spray bottle. I do go through many gallons of white vinegar. I only put a couple of good squirts of Dawn in that bottle so I don't use as much of that. A high power hose will also kill them if you want to get soak and wet.

[Mama Etna]

I get those on the back of my house where the sun warms the surface.  Scattering coffee grounds near the door keeps them out of the house.

[NConly]

17 minutes ago, missmuffet said:

I have a high power large spray bottle. I do go through many gallons of white vinegar. I only put a couple of good squirts of Dawn in that bottle so I don't use as much of that. A high power hose will also kill them if you want to get soak and wet.

well the op sounds if you were having trouble getting rid of them, might be you need more soap than couple squirts. Any way was trying yo help seems you have it under control.

[missmuffet]

5 minutes ago, NConly said:

well the op sounds if you were having trouble getting rid of them, might be you need more soap than couple squirts. Any way was trying yo help seems you have it under control.

No, there are so many. That white vinegar and Dawn is powerful so I need to protect myself as I am spraying. Wearing goggles,mask, covering my hair etc.

[Sower]

1 hour ago, NConly said:

To make your own boxelder bug spray, mix a tablespoon of dish soap into a spray bottle of water.

           

For many yrs I have kept an old Windex spray bottle filled with a good strong amount of dish soap in water next to my workbench in the shop for the flys, when in cool weather the doors are open.  A couple of squirts and their history within a few seconds. Can even catch them on the 'fly,' Works well for most bees also using the stream spray setting catching them in the air. The mud dobbers reek havoc on my hundred dollar a sheet plywood.

And it's cheap....

[NConly]

5 minutes ago, missmuffet said:

No, there are so many. That white vinegar and Dawn is powerful so I need to protect myself as I am spraying. Wearing goggles,mask, covering my hair etc.

Well the info I posted came from a pest control company to mix soap and water. ( the soap affects their breathing) you may have easier with soap and water and save money on the vinegar. but Ill go and let you do it the way you like.

[NConly]

3 minutes ago, Sower said:

           

For many yrs I have kept an old Windex spray bottle filled with a good strong amount of dish soap in water next to my workbench in the shop for the flys, when in cool weather the doors are open.  A couple of squirts and their history within a few seconds. Can even catch them on the 'fly,' Works well for most bees also using the stream spray setting catching them in the air. The mud dobbers reek havoc on my hundred dollar a sheet plywood.

And it's cheap....

Yes  you are right it works on a lot of things.