I've had this issue in the past as well, they're always a bit of a pain! They're unfortunately drawn to areas where the sun warms things up nicely. I have a ton on the side of my house.
One of the biggest things to start with regarding box elders or any bugs or other pests is to look around and see if you can find any obvious areas where they are getting in. It could be that if you're seeing them around windows that there are problems with the seals on the windows or there's an issue with the molding around the window. They also may be getting in under the window and climbing up to bask in the sun. What I've done in the past, since box elders aren't as dangerous as silverfish and other pests, is watch where they're coming in, or just watch them in general and see where they're going. At my former museum there was a crack in the cement at the back door as well as failing seals on the doors that led to loads of box elders coming in and flying around my head.
At my former museum also chose to do a bug repellent spray, which is generally applied in April or May, to help with those and other bugs coming into the building.
In the end the biggest thing is figuring out where they're coming in and trying to eliminate that entry route. Hope that helps!
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Regina Gorham
Collections Manager
Kalamazoo Valley Museum
Kalamazoo MI
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-17-2017 04:03 PM
From: Jakob Etrheim
Subject: Box Elder Bugs
We have been getting an influx of Box Elder bugs in our museum lately. Had a few in the fall, then it slowed down during the beginning of this winter. But its been so warm lately that we have had a lot lately, particularly near the windows. I haven't noticed them in our collections storage but have seen a few in our exhibit space. Anybody familiar with a museum safe and cost effective remedy to keep them away?
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Jakob Etrheim
Collections Assistant
Kandiyohi County Historical Society
Willmar MN
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