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submitted 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) by Blackfeathr@lemmy.world to c/science_memes@mander.xyz

Just made this meme to express my frustration at Boxelder bugs. No matter how many times I carry them out they find a way back in my house in Spring and Fall.

Note because I guess some folks need it: I don't kill them, I pick them up and put them back outside!

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[-] Draconic_NEO@mander.xyz 10 points 2 months ago

Hot take: These guys never bothered me. I know some people are strongly bothered and annoyed by Boxelder bugs but they don't annoy me.

[-] Blackfeathr@lemmy.world 6 points 2 months ago

Same here. I think they're kinda cute tbh. They are just a very mild inconvenience in the house just because I gotta go find a piece of paper for it to crawl on and put it outside, lol.

[-] Suck_on_my_Presence@lemmy.world 9 points 2 months ago

At least box elders are distinct looking. I've been getting elm bugs after moving to a different state and from afar they look like cockroaches. Eughgggghhhhh

[-] etchinghillside@reddthat.com 7 points 2 months ago

Remind me what the bug is that carries the “makes your heart fall apart slowly” disease that was popular last year.

I think I kept mistaking these for those.

[-] deranger@sh.itjust.works 10 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

Triatoma infestans is the primary vector for Chagas’ disease, but it can be transmitted by other triatomines. Fun fact, they shit on your face and the infection comes from you rubbing their infected shit into the fresh open wound. It’s not from the bite itself. Thanks to climate change they’re migrating northward. Sleep tight!

[-] FoxyFerengi@startrek.website 6 points 2 months ago

Kissing bugs cause chagas, and they do look very similar

[-] TheseusNow@lemmy.zip 2 points 2 months ago

I thought they were all kissing bugs. How do you tell them apart.

[-] Zoot@reddthat.com 4 points 2 months ago

The biggest tell is the missing sucker tube. Though boxelder bugs are fairly vibrant in color, and generally are numerous/you know about them majority of your life.

Around me they've become far less common due to climate change sadly. Love the little guys, even if they used to easily overwhelm any house in the woods.

[-] Tollana1234567@lemmy.today 1 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

if you're in south american countries. they are similar looking to assassin bugs which are predators instead of bloodsuckers.

[-] KanadrAllegria@lemmy.ca 6 points 2 months ago

Soapy water kills them quickly if you need to exterminate them. Just don't squish them.

[-] Blackfeathr@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago

They're related to stinkbugs right? Smell bad when squished? I've never intentionally squished one.

[-] KanadrAllegria@lemmy.ca 3 points 2 months ago

Supposedly the release pheromones when squished, which then attracts more of them. Not sure if they are related to stinkbugs!

[-] bridgeenjoyer@sh.itjust.works 5 points 2 months ago
[-] Draconic_NEO@mander.xyz 3 points 2 months ago

They are friendly little bugs.

[-] BenLeMan@lemmy.world 5 points 2 months ago

This is me but with stink bugs.

[-] samus12345@sh.itjust.works 5 points 2 months ago

That brings me back to my childhood. We had lots of these in the backyard when I was a kid, but I haven't seen one for decades now.

[-] Sv443@sh.itjust.works 4 points 2 months ago

tell me your house is badly insulated without telling me your house is badly insulated

[-] Blackfeathr@lemmy.world 6 points 2 months ago

Yeah it's over 100 years old and has been through countless owners and tenants lol

[-] Lemmyoutofhere@lemmy.ca 3 points 2 months ago

Last summer we had thousands on the south facing wall of our house. Will be interesting to see what happens this year.

[-] Blackfeathr@lemmy.world 3 points 2 months ago

There's a Boxelder tree in the neighbors yard and our garage, table and tarps get absolutely covered in them every summer and fall. They're cute lil bugs but not in those numbers, lol!

[-] starlinguk@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago
[-] Blackfeathr@lemmy.world 4 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

I'd prefer let them back outside rather than see them getting squished or drown themselves in the washing machine or be eaten by the cats 🤗

[-] BackgrndNoize@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago

Seems like this is your own fault then

this post was submitted on 12 Mar 2026
203 points (100.0% liked)

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