What kind of bug is this?

1. STAFF

   Paul Edmondsonposted 10 years ago

   What kind of bug is this?
   
   These bugs are all over the side of our house. What are they and do they need to be exterminated?
   
   

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2. 81

   junksellerposted 10 years ago

   Looks like boxelder bugs or red-shouldered bugs. Those are nymphs in the picture and I'm not sure you can tell the difference between the two until they are full adults (or at least I wouldn't be able to). Either way, they are similar. They aren't noted for being damaging to plants since they eat fruits/seeds and there aren't any health concerns related to them, so they are really just a nuisance (if you find them nuisanceful). Here's a good info sheet on them: http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOC … 043721.pdf

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   1. STAFF

      Paul Edmondsonposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      That's it.  Nice link.  Thanks.  I'm glad they aren't wood destroying pests.

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3. 36

   ChristinSposted 10 years ago

   probably young boxelder bugs - they get darker when they are mature and they look black and red, but the young ones look mostly red like these.  They don't cause any harm really, but they tend to come out in swarms.  We have had them before around the base of our porch and they kind of freaked me out at first.   You don't need to exterminate or anything.  If it's getting cooler where you are they may be swarming trying to find warmth.  Sometimes they'll get into your house through cracks or whatever they can find - suck them up with the vacuum if they get in - otherwise if your house is sealed tight, they'll move along looking for another warm spot.

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