Boxelder Bugs
Named for the Boxelder Tree, which is their primary habitat, Boxelder Bugs can also infest trees more common in North Central Washington, like maple and ash. About 1/2" long, they are easy to recognize with their red-orange stripes and brown/black coloration. Nymphs are also bright red-orange in different stages of their development cycle. These are secondary invaders, indicating an insect issue in the landscape.
The bugs are not known to cause damage to people, buildings, or flora, however they are very productive and congregate in large numbers, which can make their presence bothersome. In cool weather they may try to come indoors as they seek out warm shelter.
If you have an infestation of boxelder bugs, give us a call. They are easy to control; using our integrated pest management (IPM) program, we can select from several options to apply the best, lowest-impact solution to your pest-free life.