Boxelders Invade

It's the invasion of the boxedlers in the Elms!  Especially in the afternoon, the bugs are swarming around the back door.  Every time the door is opened, ten to fifteen bugs drop down on the unsuspecting student.

"They're disgusting!" said N.K., brushing them off his arm one recent afternoon.  S.N. and S.A. have been especially hard hit, their shoes are right next to the door and often have several bugs in them by recess.

According to the University of Minnesota Extension, boxelder bugs are harmless.  They do not bite, nor do they damage homes or plants.  They spend their summers feeding on ground plants and boxelder trees.  In the fall, they try to get into houses to spend the winter.  They especially like warm, sunny sides of houses, like the Elms' back wall.

You can keep boxelders out by fixing screens and gaps around doors.  You can also plant trees to reduce the sun on your house.

There's one member of the Elms who is not complaining -- Frank the toad has been very, very well fed since their arrival.

-M.M.

Comments

[Chris Sullivan Kelley]

I didn't know that toads ate Box Elders bugs--I thought that NOTHING did, hence the enormous quantity of them! I have been wondering if our chickens will eat them...hmmmm...maybe an experiment is in order!

Chris Sullivan Kelley

[Regi]

Hello Elms;

Your boxelder story hit home for me. I will think of a shade for the south facing wall in our house, which they are using as a front-line of the invasion.

If you do any more research, please let me know if you find anything that repels them.

Regi.

[Meaghen]

Elms: If you really can't live with the boxelders, ask Henry about a method to get rid of them, without use of chemicals.