Warm weather sees return of boxelder bugs in GTA

The bugs eat the seeds of boxelder and other maple trees and are also known as maple bugs.

Thestar.com
April 19, 2023
Marissa Birnie

As warm spring weather embraces the GTA, it’s not just people who are starting to venture outside -- so are the bugs.

Some social media users are noticing the return of boxelder bugs in the GTA.

Entomology technician Antonia Guidotti of the Royal Ontario Museum said the bugs people see in their homes are coming out of hibernation as the weather warms.

“There has been sort of an uptick in people noticing them. Iit could just be that there were a lot that went into hibernation and were able to overwinter,” she said.

Boxelder bugs, also known as maple bugs, are native to North America and typically feed on the seeds of boxelder and other maple trees.

They’re not harmful to humans or pets, Guidotti said.

She recommended that the squeamish simply sweep the bugs out the door instead of squishing them, because they can stain furniture and leave a smelly odour.

Guidotti said some people mistake boxelder bugs for European firebugs because of their similar black and red colouring.