Maple bugs, even if they are not dangerous, can be a huge nuisance if they enter the house in large quantities. They can congregate in huge masses, ruining tents, carpets, and clothing with their excrement. Read on to learn how to reduce their numbers, and hopefully get rid of them completely.
Steps
Step 1. Seal the openings in your home
The main way maple bugs get into your home is through cracks in walls, floors, roofs, etc. Thus, an inexpensive and effective way is to have all these cracks sealed. Here are some things you should check:
- Make sure all window and door screens are completely sealed. Maple bugs can pass through very small holes (about 3 mm).
- Also check the slots on all vents and fans in the kitchen and bathroom.
- It seals the spaces from which cables, wires, pipes, or any other object pass from the outside. You can use materials such as silicone, polyurethane, or copper mesh for this purpose. If you use netting, make sure there are no spaces for insects to pass through. You may need to do research to see which sealing material is best for your specific purpose.
- Install a draft excluder or edging on all doors that open outward. This will prevent insects from getting in from under the doors.
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On houses with plaster, stucco, stone or brick-clad exteriors, check the exterior walls for cracks. Especially check the spaces where different materials meet, or the horizontal and vertical angles they meet. Use sealing material similar to the one described above.
On external stone or brick cladding DO NOT seal the cracks at the base of the walls (drainage holes). You can find the right material to fill these holes at a hardware store
Step 2. Use soapy water applied directly to their back
This causes them to suffocate, and they die, without pesticides.
Step 3. Use insecticides
It's best to avoid this step if you can, because insecticides can cause more damage than maple bugs. However, it may be necessary in extreme circumstances. Go to your local store to find an appropriate pesticide. Common active ingredients for fighting these insects include bifentrin, cyfluthrin, deltamethrin, lambda cyhalothrin, permethrin, and tralometrine. There are various things to keep in mind when using insecticides.
- Always follow the directions on the label.
- Avoid using insecticides indoors, they can damage the interior of your home and are not as effective as using them outside.
- Spray in late summer and early fall. This is the time when maple bugs move from their summer burrows to winter shelters, and your efforts will be most effective if you spray during this time.
- Focus more on the points where maple bugs are most likely to enter or aggregate. These include the openings and crevices that were mentioned above, as well as areas that receive a lot of sunlight.
- Observe. If you notice a spot in the house where bedbugs tend to congregate, spray on that spot. While some insects may already have entered the house, you can prevent others from entering your home in the future.
Step 4. Have a vacuum cleaner or broom handy
Unfortunately, once the maple bugs have entered your home, there is not much you can do. The best way to get rid of them is to use a vacuum cleaner or a broom and dustpan to dispose of any that have come out of their shelters. This is a surefire way to get rid of them, even if it requires a lot of effort; do not use pesticides in the home. Note, maple bugs do not lay their eggs inside houses; the period for spawning is summer, not winter.
Step 5. Remove the maples and ash trees
This is a drastic measure to be taken only in extreme cases. It is also not particularly effective, since maple bugs can travel more than two km in search of a winter shelter. Thus, uprooting trees from your property does not prevent the house from becoming infested. If these insects become a major problem in your community, you can consider organizing a group locally. However, bed bug infestations usually only spread in particularly hot years. It is best to use the methods described above to combat insects and to avoid taking drastic measures such as removing trees from your garden.
