Watch for household insects in early March

According to our Colorado State University Extension entomologist, Whitney Cranshaw, the following is a brief generalized list of insects that can be in or around our homes during March. Some insects are considered more of a nuisance such as the boxelder bug, clover mites and millipedes.

Boxelder bugs will be found on the southern and western sides of our outdoor buildings and home. They overwinter as adults and start becoming active in March. They can find a way into our homes through open crevices. They feed on sap from seeds, flowers and leaves. Their eggs are laid on the boxelder tree. The nymphs develop on the seeds of these female boxelder trees.

Cluster flies are also a nuisance. They develop by feeding on earthworms. Cluster flies use our homes and buildings as shelter for winter. They are more often found at higher elevations and near rivers, streams or areas of very moist soil.

Clover mites can be found on lawns and may migrate to buildings. Clover mites host on grasses, clover and weeds. Occasionally they may cause drying and death of turfgrass in the spring. Clover mites are a cool-season mite which is active in fall and spring. The eggs hatch on warm February days. This is when they begin feeding on plants. Keep grass or weeds away from the foundations of your buildings and home. Do some supplemental watering in the hot, dry lawn areas to help control them. By May and June, they become dormant until fall.

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