First time veg gardener - Box elder bug problem

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britishbloke Madison, WI Jun 12, 2009

I'm so happy I got my first ever veggie garden going. But now I see these small red six legged creatures. I did more research and I think there Box Elder bugs.

There are alot of them. But I never see them on the plants. Only running around the soil. I dont think they have an interest in my plants yet. Or maybe at night time.

Should these things be irradicated? Or should I not worry?

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LTilton Glen Ellyn, IL(Zone 5b) Jun 12, 2009

The thing about Box Elder bugs is that they show up a lot later in the year than this. And they aren't extremely small.

I've found some red and black beetles, about the size of a cucumber beetle, chewing on my lettuce. Haven't IDd them yet, tho.

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kitchenshop Craig, CO(Zone 3b) Jun 13, 2009

I see box elder bugs all summer. They are more of a pest in the house than a problem in the garden. The babies sort of look like red ticks. I have found the bugs in the dirt, too. Wonder if its a location that used to have a box elder tree. Anyway, hot soapy water will kill them. In the morning when its cold they gather in clumps, UGH! and you can get a lot of them at one time. If you squish them, especially the little ones, they will stain fabric and paint.

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