Harmless, but gifted in the reproduction department. We first discovered them at a friend's house in Delafield about 10 years ago; they've moved east, and now inhabit western Brookfield.
Mrs. Dad29 absolutely HATES them--what to do?
Last year, I scouted around for solutions. Both the 'net and the bug-ologist on WISN radio stated that the bug has no natural predators and there is no insecticide which kills 'em.
WRONG.
My son-in-law trooped out to Home Despot and picked up a gallon of Home Defense spray. (They have them in Madistan, too.) Works like a charm, after about a 10-15 second delay.
JewishWorldReview also suggests Formula 409 (you read that right.) It's not really a bug-killer, but it works in an emergency--and since it's also a cleaner, you can wipe the window (or whatever) clean after using it.
The Blogosphere, once again, provides the REAL data...
Mrs. Dad29 is absolutely right! Harmless...hah!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if either Home Defense Spray of even Formula 409 (who woulda thought?) would work on bats? Not that I expect any, but still...
To really get rid of box elder beetles cut down your crummy box elders and replace them with real trees.
ReplyDeleteBox elders are firewood trees--ugly and horrible.
Why on earth would anyone want to get rid of bats?
They eat bugs and mosquitos. Ever since we have had them we never have bugs in the yard at night. Bats are something to attract, not repel.
Sorry--we don't have a box elder tree in our yard.
ReplyDeleteMaybe a few in someone ELSE'S yard--but none here.
They actually like the foundation of the garage and the house...
Someone else's yard is enough to do it.
ReplyDeleteHey, box elders aren't all that bad. You can tap them for syrup in late march just like maples - takes a lot more sap to boil down (like a whole fence line for a few cups), but the syrup is just as sweet.
ReplyDeleteI do not think so.
ReplyDeleteWe have bats and lady bugs and box elder bugs. The bats wouldn't be so bad if they didn't poop everywhere. Like by our front door and on the deck in the backyard. As far as the box elder bugs and lady bugs, they are driving me insane, and they multiply daily!!!
ReplyDeleteA women who hates bugs!!