Good afternoon Jan and thank you for reaching out to ask2.extension.  My son has box elder bugs like I’ve never seen before.  I don’t know if the population is exploding or if conditions are perfect.  I found the following information on the UM extension website.

Boxelder bug is an insect that is native to Minnesota, feeding on boxelder, maple and ash trees. Boxelder bugs tend to have high populations during hot, dry summers (records show their populations skyrocketed during the Dust Bowl in the 1930s), meaning a summer like we had can produce a lot of boxelder bugs. 
Boxelder bugs are nothing more than an annoyance. They don’t cause meaningful damage to plants, trees or people, they don’t bite people, and they don’t spread disease. The worst they do is give people the heebie-jeebies, and smell a little bad when crushed.

If you want a direct approach, physical removal is a good option. Grab an extension cord and your shop vac and go to town. Sucked-up bugs can be dumped in the garbage.

Think carefully before using a pesticide. Boxelder bugs may annoy you, but won’t make you, your family, your pets, or other insects sick. But the chemical you spray might.

If you are okay with the risks, choose a product carefully. This means reading the fine print, maybe a lot of it! Make sure the product you’ve pulled off the shelf says it can be used on the outside, or the exterior, of buildings.

Before you apply a pesticide, make sure you also read the product's directions around how to safely spray and what protective clothing to wear. While spraying insects in the hot afternoon sun may make you want to reach for shorts and sandals, if the label says you need sleeves, socks and long pants, you need to wear sleeves, socks and long pants.

CAUTION: Mention of a pesticide or use of a pesticide label is for educational purposes only. Always follow the pesticide label directions attached to the pesticide container you are using. Be sure that the area you wish to treat is listed on the label of the pesticide you intend to use. Remember, the label is the  law.

I hope this helps.