Boxelder Bugs in Utah County: Why They Love Your House (and Why We Don’t Let Them Stay)
If you've ever stepped outside on a sunny fall afternoon and seen your house siding covered in tiny black-and-orange bugs doing a full-blown block party—congrats, you’ve met the boxelder bug.
These guys aren’t dangerous. They don’t bite. They won’t ruin your walls. But they’re gross, persistent, and apparently convinced your home is their seasonal Airbnb.
Let’s talk about what they are, why they keep showing up, and most importantly—how Total Annihilation Pest Control can put an end to the infestation.
What Are Boxelder Bugs and Why Do They Hate Boundaries?
Boxelder bugs (Boisea trivittata) are Utah’s favorite freeloaders. They’re about half an inch long, mostly black, with red or orange outlines on their wings. They spend their summer chilling in trees (especially boxelders and maples), but once it cools down, they start looking for a warm place to crash—and your house is top of the list.
They’ll sneak into:
Cracks in siding
Around windows and doors
Vents, soffits, wall voids
Basements, attics, garages… anywhere they can squeeze into and not pay rent
They're not dangerous, but they'll:
Stain your walls and curtains if squished
Creep out your kids
Multiply fast
Come back every year unless you evict them properly
Why You’re Seeing So Many in Utah County
Boxelder bugs love Utah County for the same reasons you do: sunny days, mountain views, and a nice cozy home. Their numbers spike especially in fall and early spring when they’re coming or going from their winter hiding spots.
If your home faces the sun, has trees nearby, or even just a few gaps in your exterior, you’re basically sending out engraved invitations.
Here’s the Problem: They Don’t Leave on Their Own
You can vacuum them up. You can squish them (we don’t recommend it). You can spray them with DIY stuff from the hardware store. But you’ll be doing that again and again. And again.
These bugs don’t do “one and done.” They come back every year unless the entry points are sealed and the population is treated at the source.
That’s where we come in.
What Total Annihilation Does About It
We don’t just chase them off—we shut down the whole operation. Here’s how:
🛡️ Exterior Barrier Treatment
We spray targeted, professional-grade products around windows, doors, eaves, and siding to create an invisible wall they do not want to cross.
🔍 Full Property Inspection
We find out where they’re coming from, what’s attracting them, and how they’re getting inside. (Spoiler: it's almost always more than one spot.)
🧱 Entry Point Sealing
Caulking, gaps, cracks—if it’s letting bugs in, we close it off. Want to keep the boxelder bugs out for good? This is a big one.
📆 Seasonal Maintenance Plans
Want them gone and to stay gone? We offer scheduled visits to keep them from reappearing every year like clockwork. Think of it as bug insurance, but way cooler.
What You Can Do (While We Do the Heavy Lifting)
Trim back boxelder and maple trees
Pick up fallen seed pods or leaves near your home’s foundation
Fix broken screens and close gaps around doors
Don’t squish them indoors unless you’re into weird bug stains
Let’s End the Infestation
If your house is crawling with boxelder bugs—or if you want to make sure it doesn’t get to that point—call Total Annihilation Pest Control. We’re local, affordable, and a little bit obsessed with winning the war on bugs.
We’ll kick them out, seal the exits, and leave your home pest-free (and significantly less embarrassing).
📞 Call today.
We’ll show up. They’ll move out. Everybody wins—except the bugs.
