Can boxelder bugs put a split in a tree trunk?
Answer Hi Lori, I’ve never heard of Box Elder Bugs putting a split in a tree, they will hang out there for shelter from the cold as fall approaches. If they are a problem in the trees, you can have a professional treat the trees for you, this should be done while the bugs are actually in the trees. If they are on the house you can have a professional treat that as well. This must be done on a sunny day when they are out basking in the fall sun. If you are looking for a low impact method of dealing with them, you can use a garden sprayer (the type that hooks to the hose) and use an organic soap in the sprayer. This will knock down their numbers and make things more tolerable around the house for you. They will crawl into nooks and crannies pretty soon as it gets colder and will spend the winter in shelter. They do not do structural damage, but can be quite a nuisance when they arrive by the thousands to hang out on your home. Any further questions please feel free to follow up.
