Chances are you’ve come across an elm seed bug a time or two, even if you didn’t know exactly what it was. And just as their moniker suggests, they primarily feed on elm seeds. But unlike bed bugs that can bite you while you’re sleeping or mosquitoes that can potentially carry harmful diseases, the good news is that elm seed bugs in your Sandy, UT home are completely harmless to both humans and animals — except for one thing. They emit an unpleasantly pungent odor when either scared, crushed, smashed, or squished.
Tanner Pest Control provides pest control in Riverton and has got you covered with all pests from the common to the obscure. Therefore, in case you didn’t know that much about this particular nuisance pest, read further to discover more about the characteristics of the elm seed bug and why your aim should be to get rid of them quickly, harmless or not.
What An Elm Seed Bug Looks Like
Elm seed bugs are around 1/3 of an inch in length with a color combination of a dark chocolate brown with rusty-red highlights and a black head and antennae. However, their underbelly is mostly orange, and their bodies are completely covered in short hairs. Narrow white bands stretch along the perimeters of their abdomen. The mature elm seed bugs fold their wings backward in an x-pattern, which is a feature that differentiates them from their doppelgänger, the beetle, that instead, folds their wings over the back in a straight line.
When Elm Seed Bugs Come Inside
When temperatures start to warm up in early spring, elm seed bugs are on the hunt for a cozy shelter to beat the heat. They invade homes and buildings around this time and especially during the hot, summer months. If you think you’ve seen what looks to be elm seed bugs inside your home, contact your local pest control, who can provide insight and information specific to your situation. Quality pest control services can also answer any questions you may have with regards to proper elm seed bug removal.
When Elm Seed Bugs Are Outside
After the winter season, when the weather begins to warm up a bit, adult elm seed bugs begin mating and the females lay their eggs on developing elm seeds. Therefore, if you happen to have trees in your yard that produce these seeds, rake up any that have fallen to the ground and seal them tightly in a trash bag. Additionally, if you have firewood stacked in your backyard, inspect each log thoroughly before bringing them inside to use.
The Best Way To Control Elm Seed Bugs
It’s safe to say that no one wants to feel like they’re sharing their living space with unwelcome visitors. Unfortunately, nuisance pests don’t really care about your comfort. If you are currently dealing with an invasion of elm seed bugs in or around your home, try following some of the steps below to reduce, and hopefully, eliminate their presence:
Seal off cracks, holes, and gaps wherever they occur in your home.
Declutter and clear away unnecessary objects that bugs like to hide inside.
Store all uneaten food properly, including your pet’s food.
Add screens to doors and windows to let the fresh air in while keeping bugs out.
Dispose of trash quickly, and seal containers and cans tightly.
And if you happen to see elm seed bugs scuttling through your home, grab the vacuum cleaner to suction them up so they don’t release that foul odor.
But one of the best all-around methods of controlling elm seed bugs on your property is to hire a reliable and dependable pest control service that gets the maximum result of any pest control treatment every time. And at Tanner Pest Control, we’ve been servicing the greater Salt Lake City area for more than 10 years. Contact us today to request a quote.