Boxelder bugs are seeking shelter this fall — this $2 kitchen item stops them from swarming your house
Notice red and black insects swarming your walls? Here's why boxelder bugs choose your home every fall — and the $2 trick to safely stop them.
As the weather shifts to fall, boxelder bugs descend in droves, congregating on the exteriors of homes. These red and black insects are typically harmless, only becoming a nuisance when they seek shelter within homes to hibernate. Contrary to an instinctive urge to squash them, doing so triggers a foul-smelling defense that only draws more bugs to the scene.
An affordable solution lies within a common kitchen item: liquid dish soap. By mixing two tablespoons of dish soap into a spray bottle filled with warm water, homeowners can effectively kill boxelder bugs without resorting to expensive exterminators or chemical sprays. This DIY approach is safe for pets, family members, and plants.
Alternatively, manually removing clusters of bugs with a water hose or vacuum can also prove effective. To prevent future invasions, it's crucial to seal cracks and gaps around windows, doors, and vents to block these unwanted guests. Regular checks and maintenance of screens and weatherstripping are essential to keeping boxelder bugs at bay during the fall season.
Written by urgent.news from Tom's Guide's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
