Boxelder Bug vs. Milkweed Bug: Know the Difference

They look almost identical: black bodies with orange/red markings. But one is a pest you want to vacuum up, and the other is a garden friend you should leave alone.

Don't kill the wrong one.

The Boxelder Bug (The Pest)

• Look for the V: They have red lines on their shoulders that form an upside-down "V".
• Behavior: They swarm your house siding in fall. They don't eat garden plants; they eat seed pods from Boxelder/Maple trees.
• Verdict: Vacuum them up. They are annoying invaders.

The Milkweed Bug (The Friend)

• Look for the X: They have a distinct red "X" or black band across a bright orange back. They are usually larger.
• Behavior: They hang out on Milkweed plants (where Monarchs live). They eat the seeds.
• Verdict: Leave them alone! They are part of the ecosystem. They don't invade houses.

Why it matters

If you spray Milkweed Bugs, you are likely poisoning your Milkweed plant, which kills Monarch Butterfly caterpillars. Be careful. Identification matters.