My daughter and I stopped for a moment in a West Boise Park to play Pokemon Go, and suddenly, small insects were crawling up our legs. Boxelder bugs and nymphs were swarming under a boxelder maple tree. These insects survive on all kinds of maples and elms, but especially the boxelders. They mainly eat the seeds, but will also suck on leaves. They don’t bite you, although they don’t smell good when you squish them. And they’re doing a favor. By eating the prolific seeds they help keep the tree from re-seeding like crazy.
Here they are crawling on the picnic table.
Sometimes, people find them in their homes. Annoying, but harmless. Make sure windowsills are sealed. Their cousins, elm seed bugs, also like to get inside. The elm seed bugs are much smaller and if there are elm trees around, the insects are there, too. Pesticides aren’t recommended, instead, use a shop vac.
~Debbie