Maple bugs, also known as Boxelders, gather in large numbers during the fall in Saskatchewan. (ID 48759771 © Jason P Ross | Dreamstime.com)

By Teena Monteleone

So. Many. Bugs.

Maple bugs are a nuisance, not harmful…just don’t squash them

Oct 23, 2025 | 6:00 AM

They’ve been coming out in droves over the last few weeks.

Black bugs with red markings often congregating, sometimes in the hundreds or thousands, on warm surfaces around your home or outbuildings. Soon, they’ll seek shelter for the winter by getting into small cracks and crevices. While they’re certainly an unwelcome fall phenomenon in Saskatchewan, these maple bugs – also known as boxelder bugs – aren’t harmful, just annoying.

Inspect specialist for the province, James Tansey, said they are a native species to this part of the world and take full advantage of the “buffet” Saskatchewan offers them.

“They really do well on members of the genus Acer, so that is maples, but they will feed on a few other plants and a few other trees, but they typically prefer maples,” said Tansey. “They’re not dangerous. They’re piercing sucking feeders that feed exclusively on plants.”

We’re seeing more of them this time of year for two reasons. The first is because they’re taking advantage of the bright sunlight and warm temperatures on some surfaces for what’s called prophylactic disinfection.

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“They’re using the warm temperatures and the ultraviolent radiation that you’re going to see on south facing walls right now to reduce the effects of a fungus called Beauveria bassiana that really affects a lot of different insect species, including these guys.”

Tansey said the maple bugs are ‘really, really chemically complex animals.’ You’ve likely smelled it if you’ve ever squashed one of the bugs. Try not to do that, he said.

“Some of the odors can be pretty unpleasant, but they use it to convey mate attraction and communication between the different sexes and aggregation, so when to gather, particularly for the winter.”

That’s the second reason there are so many maple bugs around – they’re looking for warm places to overwinter. Tansey said if you don’t want them around, be sure to exclude them from gaining access to your house by blocking any potential openings in doors and windows.

“The bigger concern with these guys is going to be their feces in the house, which can stain, particularly white fabrics and other white surfaces.”

He advises not to broadly apply insecticides to kill large numbers of them, especially on a house because it can be potentially dangerous to humans, pets and to non-target insects. If you do find them in your home, he suggests using a vacuum to suck them up and then release them outside or try to dispose of them otherwise.

“Strictly speaking, they’re not harmful. I realize they can be a bit of a pain this time of year, but for the most part, consider them a nuisance rather than any kind of serious problem.”

While the province doesn’t monitor the population of maple bugs, Tansey said there doesn’t seem to be any more than usual this year. Their numbers will dwindle drastically as the nights begin to freeze. So, he said if a person can just be patient and tolerate them, the problem will take care of itself.

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teena.monteleone@pattisonmedia.com