Maple bugs (boxelder bugs) come inside in fall to spend the winter in warm walls, then wander into rooms on sunny days. They are a nuisance, not a danger.
Seal gaps around windows and siding, vacuum the ones you see, and use sticky traps along window sills and walls to catch the stragglers.
What are maple bugs?
“Maple bug” is the common Canadian name for the boxelder bug: a black insect, about 1.2 cm long, with red or orange markings. They feed mostly on the seeds of Manitoba maple (boxelder) and other maples.
Why they come inside
In late summer and fall, maple bugs gather on sunny south- and west-facing walls, then crawl into gaps around windows, doors, vents and siding to overwinter. On warm winter or spring days they wake up and wander into your rooms looking for the way out.
Are they harmful?
They do not damage your home and rarely bite, but crushed bugs can stain curtains and walls. That is why vacuuming and trapping beat swatting.
How to get rid of them
1. Seal entry points
Caulk gaps around window frames, door frames, vents and where cables enter; repair torn screens.
2. Vacuum, don’t crush
Vacuum clusters and empty the bag outside.
3. Trap the stragglers
Place unscented sticky traps flat on window sills, along walls under sunny windows and in attics, where bugs land and crawl. Customers use ZIVASKA traps for exactly this; one reviewer wrote that they “seem to work quite well” for maple bugs.
4. Long term
Maple bugs breed on female Manitoba maples. If one is right next to the house, raking up seed pods helps.
Frequently asked questions
Why are there maple bugs in my house in winter?
They crawled into wall gaps in the fall to overwinter. On warm days they wake up and wander indoors looking for a way out.
Do maple bugs bite?
Boxelder bugs rarely bite and do not damage homes, but crushed bugs can stain fabric and walls.
Do sticky traps work on maple bugs?
Yes, sticky traps placed on window sills and along walls where the bugs crawl will catch them. Combine trapping with sealing gaps for the best result.
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