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Eliminating Elm Seed Bugs #880387

Asked August 06, 2024, 12:38 PM EDT

I need help eliminating Elm Seed Bugs. Like many in my area, I live in a manufactured home with vinyl siding, making it impossible to keep bugs from underneath it and out of my home. I have vacuumed and sprayed Home Defense around all windows doors, and decking multiple times during a week. They are destroying the use of my home. They get into carpets and when vacuumed stink up the carpets. I use a new bag each time I vacuum and dispose of the old bags. Do you provide any help in spraying trees? I would hate to cut down a very old, beautiful Elm on my property. It is lovely and provides shade to my home, but I can't even sit on my porch without the bugs getting on me, furniture, and food. Please, please provide me with some help!  I have tried all the suggestions on the internet.

Thank you,

Christine Early

Montrose County Colorado

Expert Response

I'm sorry you're struggling with elm seed bugs; you are definitely not alone. There are so many elm trees around it is unlikely that removing a tree will eliminate the insects. You may want to consider hiring a professional pest control company to treat around your home. They are able to use different products than homeowners and may be able to provide better coverage. 

The Utah State University publication linked below suggests spraying trees with a pyrethroid insecticide to target elm seed bug nymphs, but this may be challenging as your tree sounds quite large and the timing would have to be right to get the insects at the right stage. This would also require hiring an arborist with a pesticide license.

Here are some additional sources of information:

Elm Seed Bug: A New Nuisance Pest in Colorado Homes (Fact Sheet 5.619)

Elm Seed Bug (Utah State University)

An Ask Extension Expert Replied August 07, 2024, 2:04 PM EDT

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