In the late 1800's , somewhere in the upper Mississippi region individuals began using the term democrat to describe a bug that they viewed as a nuisance...."They are everywhere....just like democrats!" lamented one local. And still another complained....."They have their noses in everything!" This moniker stuck and the term spread and before long these bugs were no longer box elder bugs, but democrat bugs. Well the citizens of Southwest Iowa were not going to stand for that and as a retaliation, sometime in the year 1900, they began referring to this bug as the McKinley Bug or Republican Bug! As one Iowan put it "They aren't good for anything!" So whether your political affiliation was (or is) democrat or republican, this bug became the representation of angst towards the other political party.
Box elder bugs begin emerging from their overwintering sights in late March or early April, just as the buds of the box elder trees are opening. They will feed on seeds littered on the ground, before moving to the female trees once newly formed leaves are present. Maple and ash trees will also be used, but they seem to prefer box elder trees (which are a species of true maple). It is not uncommon for them to feed on the fruit of apple and plum trees as well. They are not known to cause any significant damage to the host trees as their population never seems to exceed what the host trees can tolerate. This population scarcity changes dramatically once autumn arrives. It seems like cooler nights and shorter days trigger some biological response in the box elder bug and they begin seeking out their own kind and gather in large aggregations. These community gathering spots are made up of almost entirely females. Typically they will be on the south facing side of rocks, trees, and buildings, as this is the warmest surface. Soon they will seek out human structures and it is at this time we take notice! Hundreds, if not thousands may decide your home is a great gathering spot and hibernation location.
While they can become a nuisance, if for no other reason than the sheer volume of population, they are basically harmless. They are not prone to bite, but occasionally they will pierce skin with a specialized mouth-part called a rostrum. This bite-like wound can become irritated and red, although it has no real medical significance. Their fecal matter can leave a reddish-colored stains on drapery, walls, or other surfaces, and if you are unfortunate enough to crush one it will give off a nasty odor, similar to that of a stink bug. So how do we get rid of them? I'm not a fan of pesticides inside the home, but also recognize sometimes they are necessary. Always follow instructions exactly as recommended if you chose to do it yourself, or better yet, call a professional for help. You can also try vacuuming them up with the vacuum, but don't forget to remove the bag (if your vacuum has one) so they cannot make an escape back into your home. Make sure you repair all door and window screens, fill any cracks or crevices with silicone, and use door sweeps to block the underside of doors. This will help control how many are able to get inside your home to begin with. Or maybe show a little tolerance for your uninvited guests, much like the tolerance we show our democrat and republican politicians....or not.
I couldn't find any reference to the name (democrat) in wikipedia. Thanks for the verification
ReplyDeleteI grew up in NE Kansas. Rural folks knew them as Democrat bugs, but town and city folks just knew the proper name.
ReplyDeletei grew up in rural central Kansas in an area that hasn't elected a Democrat since the depression I'm now 70 years old. I remember asking my dad as a child why they called them democrat bugs, His answer was "Because they are good for nothing and too many show up just when you don't want them".
DeleteI don't know if this was his witticism or if he got it from someone else but it made enough of an impression on me that that I think I remember his answer word for word.
Sounds like a good reason to me to call them Democrat bugs.....LOL
DeleteActually Republican bug is more accurate or a ruder term for them
Deletethey have become bothersome in my home over the last two summers. i found one in my washer. what can I do?
ReplyDeleteI wish I had a good answer for you. I know soapy water will kill them. You can also vacuum them up and toss them away. They only seem to be an issue in the fall and again in the spring. You can try spraying something like Ortho's Home Defense but I am reluctant to advise that, because chemical should always be the last resort because of all the beneficial insects that will also be killed.
Deletevote them out!
DeleteIf you transfer them to the dryer once they are clean, you shouldn't have much more of a problem after that.
ReplyDeleteThere is always something special and good about little creatures that God creates. Besides being pretty, they have a great nickname and tend to hang together, very sociable and the ladies support each other. They don't do any real harm, and...they show up in large numbers when needed.
ReplyDeleteDawn dish soap will kill them instantly
ReplyDelete