Box elder bugs, aka maple bugs or democrat bugs (in the midwestern US), are plant-feeding insects that are exterior pests for most of the year. They are usually no larger than .5", and nest on or in shade trees, most notably maple and ash. They will not usually cause significant damage to the plants, unless there is an unusually large population. Adult box elders are black or dark brown with orange or red undersides and markings on the wings; immature box elders are bright red.

When the weather begins to cool, box elders will often make their way into human habitations through cracks and crevices in the building's exterior. They will lay dormant within the walls until it gets cold enough for heating systems to be used. When the heat within the walls revives them they will begin to enter inhabited parts of the building.

A standard exterior barrier pest treatment is usually sufficient to prevent box elders from entering a home, though steps should be taken, as with all types of pests, to reduce or eliminate possible entry points through sealing cracks and crevices.

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