Boxelders back in the Battlefords
They are black and red and appear to have taken over the Battlefords, but the boxelder is simply a nuisance that will need to be contended with until cooler temperatures set in.
Often referred to as maple bugs, Dr. Rory McIntosh, the provincial forest entomologist and pathologist, said the insects, which feed on the seeds of female Manitoba Maple trees, pose no threat to humans, animals or local vegetation. But due to their bright hue and tendency to congregate in quite large numbers and crawl on the side of buildings, people tend to pay attention.
The bugs tend to flourish in favourable climatic conditions like we are seeing now, and while not overly synchronous, do tend to build up large populations and then collapse due to weather, disease or other factors.
As the insects look for hibernation spots, they can make their way indoors.