What is the deal with a swarm of "true bugs"?

Question

These are super gross beetles - and apparently swarm in the millions. I thought my friend was messing with me, but apparently they really are "true" bugs???

(eww)

How do you get RID of them???

Answer 1

True bugs are a term to correct people calling other insects types "bugs", for example lady bugs are not bugs but actually beetles.  

True bugs refer to the members of the Hemiptera order.  Like most (but not all) members of Insecta, they have 2 sets of wings.  In Hemiptera the second set is leathery.  In beetles the second set is that hard coat or shell.  

As for what your swarming "beetles" are, I think the answer above may be right, do these critters have red markings on their upper wing (or "shoulder"?)  If they are red shoulder bugs they are just congregating, having a party.  Since they are so colorful you could think of them as mobile garden ornaments........except they like to be close to the house......as they do overwinter IN your house, up in the attic or within the walls.  

Best solution is to use your shop vac and suck them up, zap them with a little bug spray to kill them, pack into a bag and send to the landfill.  (If they are truly dead you could just recycle them in the garden).

Answer 2

I was in the pest control industry for 3 years and had 1 customer with Boxelder Bugs. I did some research and found that they are like lady bugs in the fact that they will live in the cavities of your home through the winter. Male boxelder trees are commonly purchased from a nursery, but the seedlings coming off of these trees sometimes produce the female boxelder trees. This is where these pests will live. I killed them by finding the bush/tree and soak it with pesticide. You need to spray the bottom sides of the leaves as well as the tops and the bark. The bark is where the females will lay their eggs. I would also soak the ground all around the bush/tree. This will take multiple appilications... If you hire someone they better be telling you all of this or don't use them! Then remove all of the boxelder seedlings. Hope this helps!

Answer 3

Here is a picture if that is your bug.

http://www.whatsthatbug.com/true_bugs_4....