[handeman]

Found a bunch of these little buggers on the side of my house and sneaking in gaps in my side door. What are they? Are they harmful at all? Will they do any damage?

Thanks,

H

 

[oh'mike]

Box Elder bug----harmless but irritating---they like to sun them selves .some times by the thousand. on the side of your house.

That is a young one----Might need to cut down a nearby box elder tree---

 

[joecaption]

Good call Mike.
http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/DG0998.html

 

[DexterII]

Worst case scenario, they could be considered a nuisance, but I'm actually content to have them around. They aren't intimidating in any way, don't bite, don't buzz you, much anyway, and don't leave any residue on the walls, as far as I have ever seen. As Mike said, harmless, so I leave them alone, other than shooing them away from the door when I go in an out. If all bugs were as congenial, I imagine that fewer of them would get squished.

 

[astersia]

Found a bunch of these little buggers on the side of my house and sneaking in gaps in my side door. What are they? Are they harmful at all? Will they do any damage?

Thanks,

H

This is the part of the Minnesota publication to consider: " When abundant, they can stain walls, curtains, and other surfaces......" , in other words they leave orange spots all over the walls, curtains, etc...
Not nice to live with.
Keep a vacuum cleaner at the ready.