These bugs are ALWAYS around everywhere in my yard, but I keep especially finding them around my vegetables and they're making me nervous.
Friend, foe, or neutral party?
Milkweed Bug. That's my guess. Take a look at a few photos here for better ID. http://colinlmiller.com/wildlife/hemiptera/hemiptera.htm
They're usually not too much of a problem when Milkweed is present(otherwise they may feed on other plants). I'd call them neutral bugs, unless in large numbers.
THANK you -- sounds like I'd better get some Milkweed.
I've had a problem with these guys for years. Some years they've covered the sunny side of the house and have started getting inside. The only effective control I've found, unfortunately, is malathion, which I won't use near edibles (so no more strawberry patch by the kitchen door). Otherwise it's "hand-picking" --- full foot stomps and broom sweeps. A chemical treatment keeps the population down for a couple of years but I've never eliminated them entirely.
Pest control folks have assured me that they are harmless, but it's pretty awful when they take over the house. There's no benefit. I have not seen them eating plants. I kill every one I see, gladly.
Looks like Box Elder Bug to me.
Box Elder did cross my mind at first but the white spots near the end made me think Milkweed Bug. Plus, I believe they are more common than the Box Elders in the west. I do think what ireed110 is seeing are possibly Box Elder's. They like to make themselves comfy inside of homes.
Here's a good ID to tell the difference...
They do look alike!
My daughter is plagued with box elder bugs - they seem to like Maple Tree seeds - and she has two Maple trees in her front yard.
You're right - I"m thinking of box elder bugs. My son and I had been discussing the possibility that they were milkweed bugs so I had them mixed up in my head.
Oh - forgot to mention that the pest control folks also said the only way to get rid of them would be to "ET" the house (encase it in plastic) and bomb. And that wouldn't take care of the yard. They recommended against it and I agreed. I'm dealing with them as it is.
I have a very similar bug on some squash plants in the sunny front yard of my house. They are only around when I've got ahpids, so I think they are helping me keep the aphid population down. So long as they are working for me, they are welcome to stay...