Abra Kadabra Environmental Services is a connoisseur of bugs. It’s our job to know everything there is to know about every type of bug that can enter your home or office. The fact is, we love our job. We don’t necessarily love bugs, but we do find them to be quite fascinating. The fall is a great time of year to see some interesting, and relatively harmless bugs appear. One of the most interesting looking bugs we’ve have seen during fall-time is the Boxelder bug. This bug gets its name from the Boxelder tree, where the bugs are found feeding and laying eggs on.
Black bugs with vivid red stripes stand out against plants and trees thanks to their bold coloration These insects use contrasting colors as a warning to potential predators that they may taste bad or be poisonous.
There are a number of different black and red striped bug species found across North America depending on the geographic location While similar in appearance, these insects have differences in habitat, diet, lifespan, and behaviors
Common Black Bugs with Red Stripes
Some of the most common black bugs marked with red include:
Boxelder Bugs
Both the Eastern Boxelder Bug (Boisea trivittata) and Western Boxelder Bug (Boisea rubrolineata) are black with red stripes. They feed on boxelder maple and ash trees. In the fall, they seek shelter in homes, staining walls and drapes with their droppings.
Milkweed Bugs
The Large Milkweed Bug (Oncopeltus fasciatus) and Small Milkweed Bug (Lygaeus kalmii) feed on milkweed plants. They have black bodies with orange/red X or stripe patterns.
Spittlebugs
Two-lined Spittlebugs (Prosapia bicincta) are pests of grasses and get their name from the two orange stripes on their wings. They produce a frothy spittle mass used to protect their young.
Blister Beetles
The black and red Striped Blister Beetle (Epicauta vittata) and Black and Red Blister Beetle (Megetra cancellata) have stripes across their wing covers. They can cause blistering of the skin so should not be handled.
Assassin Bugs
Scarlet-bordered Assassin Bugs (Rhiginia cruciata) are black with vivid red bands around the edges of their wings and head. Despite their name, they are not dangerous to humans but prey on other insects.
Leaf Beetles
The Goldenrod Leaf Miner Beetle (Microrhopala vittata) is black with red or orange stripes running across its wing covers. It infests and damages goldenrod plants.
Habitats Where These Bugs Are Found
The habitats where these red and black striped bugs live depends on the species:
- Boxelder bugs – Found on boxelder, maple, ash trees
- Milkweed bugs – Live on various milkweed species
- Spittlebugs – Damaging pests on grasses and turf
- Blister beetles – Often found infesting crops like alfalfa and eggplant
- Assassin bugs – Prey on other insects in gardens, grasslands, agricultural areas
- Leaf beetles – Associated with goldenrod plants and forests
Some species like the boxelder bugs and blister beetles will enter homes in the fall seeking warmth or food. Proper sealing of entry points can help prevent indoor infestations.
Diet and Feeding Habits
Most black and red striped bug species feed on plant material:
- Boxelder bugs – Piercing-sucking mouthparts to feed on tree sap
- Milkweed bugs – Extract milkweed seeds by piercing flower pods
- Spittlebugs – Sap-suckers damaging the vascular tissues of plants
- Blister beetles – Adults feed on flower nectar and pollen
- Assassin bugs – Prey on other insects and arthropods
- Leaf beetles – Feed on leaves, seeds, pollen, nectar
The assassin bugs are the only predatory insect in this group. The others feed on plant juices, sap, seeds or pollen. Some are agricultural pests.
Life Cycles and Reproduction
Many of these species have similar life cycles:
- Overwinter as adults
- Become active in spring
- Females lay eggs on host plants
- Eggs hatch into larvae or nymphs
- Immature stages feed and develop on host plants
- Molt several times as they grow
- Reach adulthood in summer
- Mate and produce another generation before winter
However, the number of generations per year depends on the geographic location and climate. Southern populations may produce multiple overlapping generations while northern groups only breed once.
Are These Bugs Harmful to Humans or Pets?
For the most part, these black and red striped insects are not harmful to human health. The blister beetles can cause skin blistering so should be avoided.
Boxelder bugs, milkweed bugs, leaf beetles, and other species do not bite or sting. They can be nuisance pests when large numbers invade homes each fall seeking shelter.
Assassin bugs will bite if carelessly handled but are not aggressive toward humans. Their saliva can cause discomfort or swelling at the bite site.
Pets generally avoid eating these bugs due to their bright aposematic coloration. Indoor invaders should be vacuumed up or excluded from buildings through sealing of entry points. Work with a pest control professional for best results and to avoid over-application of insecticides.
Black insects marked with vivid red stripes and spots stand out against green vegetation due to their contrasting color patterns. While similar in appearance, these bugs belong to different taxonomic groups with varying behaviors, diets, and habitat requirements.
Proper identification is key to managing occasional invaders that enter structures in the fall. Exclusion and sanitation provide long-term control without use of pesticides. With some knowledge of their biology and patterns, black bugs with red stripes rarely become serious household pests.
_-_(imago)%2C_Lamoille_(VT)%2C_United_States_-_2.jpg)
All About Boxelder Bugs
I would not say that the boxelder bug is particularly beautiful. However, I would definitely say it is a distinctive looking bug with an unusual and remarkable design. The boxelder bug is black with reddish or orange lines down its back (or dorsum), making for a very cool, unique design. The stripes almost look like outlines of wings, with a Transformer mask type design in the center. These markings definitely make the boxelder bug appear much more menacing than it actually is.
The boxelder bug is not huge, but it is not tiny, either. It is about half an inch long and has six legs. Its shape is oblong and the head is quite flat, making it almost look like the common stink bug, with the exception of its unique markings. When found within a boxelder tree, the boxelder bugs look like a swarm of reddish or orange insects looking to attack.
The boxelder bug is found throughout the entire United States and the eastern part of Canada. It is mostly found where boxelder trees are widespread, such as in California and Nevada; however, they have been found in Minnesota, New England, and even several Canadian provinces as well. The boxelder bug likes to feed on the sap of maple and ash trees, and in particular, the boxelder tree. The key here is that the boxelder bug loves warmth. Therefore, in the summer, you will see it out and about, enjoying the sap of its home trees.
Nonetheless, our chief concern lies in where the boxelder bugs congregate in the fall and winter. These bugs are quite intelligent. Knowing the enjoyment they get from sunbathing, they tend to find warm spots to meet throughout the cooler autumn months. You will find them on rocks, huddled together on the side to get the most sunlight. You will also find them basking in the sun nearby trees or buildings. This is the last stage of trying to stay warm before they begin to hibernate for the winter. Yet, beware, because they will aim to hibernate in your home or office space next.
As the days get shorter and the nights become cooler, boxelder bugs begin looking for a warm home. Your home, cabin or office is the perfect resting place for the boxelder bug to wait out the cold winter months. The truth is, they are virtually harmless, but they do cause some damage. Plus, you will now have to face an infestation in your home.
You may wonder how they even get inside your home. They are smart insects, and know how to look for any openings and infiltrate in the least obvious of places. You may never have noticed that small hole in your living room window caulking. Or, maybe there is a pin sized hole in your foundation. A small crack in any part of the exterior of your home is like a giant welcome sign for these insects. Unlike large rodents, bugs do not need a large opening to make their way into your personal dwelling. Once one finds a way in, they invite their buddies to settle in and disperse throughout your home.
Boxelder bugs are among the least harmful insects to have in your home, though they can still cause unfortunate incidents to happen. Even seemingly small occurrences can lead to significant damage to your home.
Let’s start with the physical damage. Boxelder bugs emit an orange dye from their bodies when they’re feeling threatened, or when they become crushed. Therefore, as they begin to rest in your home, on your carpet, and on your clothing, they may leave a mark of residue behind. You will notice orange spots wherever they have been. Therefore, you may find some of your clothes are no longer able to be worn without a thorough washing or dry cleaning.
The orange dye may also permanently stain your clothes, if it goes unnoticed for long periods of time. This means you may have to throw out some of your favorite garments. You may also need professional cleaning services to remove any orange dye from your carpet. In the worst-case scenario, if left unnoticed for too long, you will need to replace your carpets entirely. Remember, this is mostly the result of fecal matter left behind when a boxelder bug is crushed or scared.
As far as physical damage is concerned, the boxelder bug does not bite. However, that does not mean he is completely harmless. Like the mosquito, the boxelder bug can sting, and leave a red, itchy mark on its victims. You may notice your pets and children becoming targets for these bugs, and they can have more sensitive reactions when stung.
Since boxelder bugs like to find the smallest crack in your home’s armor, your job is to remove any opportunity for entry. During the beginning of fall and ending of summer, carefully inspect the exterior of your home. Look for cracks in the foundation, and look for areas near the windows that are cracking or have tiny holes. Any unintentional opening is a temptation for the boxelder bug. Close all of these holes completely, by using caulk. Additionally, be sure to repair cracks in your home’s foundation and exterior siding. Remove temptation for the boxelder bugs. They will be searching for shelter, but that warm place does not need to be inside your home.
Another helpful tool to prevent an infestation is to install door sweeps. Most exterior doors have small gaps between the foundation and the bottom of the door. This may be due to the house settling. It may also be due to poor construction; however, that is not the norm. Whatever the reason behind the gap between your entry doors and foundation, you must find a solution to fix it.
One of the most cost-effective methods to repairing this problem is a door sweep. These can be purchased at any hardware store or even online, at places like Amazon, for under $20. They fit right onto the bottom of your exterior door and help “sweep” bugs out. In addition, they are just long enough to close the gap between your exterior door and the foundation of your home.
Of course, prevention is always the best method to warding off boxelder bugs from your home. However, sometimes we are not able to get every little crack and hole filled before the first bug enters our home. The next step involves the removal of the boxelder bugs from your home. The first piece of advice you must hear is to not step on the bugs! You should by no means crush the bugs, unless you want orange dye spread throughout your home and onto your clothing.
The next thing to avoid is killing the boxelder bugs if they are inside your walls. Leaving dead boxelder bug bodies inside your wall voids will invite beetles and other insects into your home Since these dead carcasses would be within your wall voids, it is virtually impossible to remove them without cutting a hole into the wall. This is not the type of scenario in which you want to trade one type of bug for another. Beetles are always worse and can cause much more damage by causing actual structural damage to your home.
Now that you know what not to do, here are some tips on what to do. If you find your home has been infested with boxelder bugs, break out the vacuum. Those little hose attachments that we never seem to know when to use are perfect for this exercise. Attach a hose to the vacuum, line the vacuum up with the baseboards of your walls, and begin sucking. Get into all the wall voids you may find, and suck any boxelder bugs from the walls.
As a matter of fact, vacuum every crevice of your home, removing the boxelder bugs without crushing them. Then, take your vacuum outside and far away from your home. The furthest corner of your property would probably be the best option. This is where you should remove the bag and/or canister of your vacuum to make sure you do not release any boxelder bugs back into your home. Immediately dispose of the contents and clean out your vacuum thoroughly. Once you are sure you have gotten everything out of your vacuum, return it to your home.
Boxelder Bugs – What they are, how to get rid of them
FAQ
Are boxelder bugs harmful?
Boxelder bugs are nuisance pests. They do not sting or transmit disease, and are generally not known to bite, though there are rare reports of defensive biting. Boxelder bugs are not known to cause damage to homes or significant damage to plants.
What is the fastest way to get rid of boxelder bugs?
-
Vacuum:Use a vacuum to remove boxelder bugs from inside your home, being careful not to crush them, as this can release a foul odor.
-
Seal Entry Points:Boxelder bugs enter homes through cracks and gaps. Seal any openings around windows, doors, pipes, and vents with caulk, weatherstripping, or screens.
-
Soapy Water Spray:Mix a tablespoon of dish soap with water in a spray bottle and spray the bugs directly. The soap disrupts their outer shell, leading to dehydration and death.
-
Remove Fallen Seeds:Boxelder bugs are attracted to boxelder trees, especially their seeds. Regularly remove fallen seeds to deter them.
-
Trim or Remove Boxelder Trees:If possible, consider trimming or removing boxelder trees near your home, as they are a primary source of attraction for these bugs.
What are black bugs with red stripe?
Boxelder bugs (Boisea trivittata) are common pests across the United States. These red and black bugs are about 1/2 an inch long, have a similar shape to beetles, and contain narrow red-orange lines on their back.