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Identifying this bug #749847

Asked May 13, 2021, 9:44 PM EDT

Our house has been invaded in recent months by many small black bugs. They are about 1/4" long, don't seem to do damage--i.e. aren't biting us, aren't on house plants. Although they can fly, they don't fly very far or fast, and when you approach them on a wall or window, they are most likely to drop to the ground, where they are easy to kill. But there are a lot of them and they continue to be here. Our neighbors in south Salem report that they have them too. We would like to know what they are and what we can do to control them.

Marion County Oregon

Expert Response

Greetings,

Those look like Box Elder Bugs: read in more detail about them and what can or can't be done here: https://entomology.oregonstate.edu/sites/agscid7/files/entomology/Box_Elder_Bug.pdf

"For some unfortunate homeowners box elder bugs are a yearly
invasion despite the fact that they cause no damage whatsoever.
They will not structurally harm your home, they will not harm you
and they don’t breed indoors. They can be a real nuisance, however,
when they gather in large numbers around the house. If they get
indoors they can also “spot” interior furnishings with their droppings."

Here is a great article to add to the above https://extension.oregonstate.edu/families-health/healthy-homes/five-facts-about-those-annoying-box-elder-bugs

"Box Elder bugs are a frequent subject of inquiries to the Extension office and plant clinic. For bugs inside the home, the vacuum is the easiest, safest, and most reliable removal method."

Warm Regards,  Replied May 14, 2021, 10:40 AM EDT

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