How to identify and get rid of seed bugs

Seed bugs come in all shapes and sizes. Many get their names from the plants they like to hang out on. For example, milkweed bugs eat the seeds from milkweed plants, western conifer seed bugs live on conifer trees, and sycamore seed bugs… you guessed it… eat sycamore tree seeds.

Fortunately for homeowners, there isn’t a living room seed bug, even though these bugs can occasionally make their way into our homes.

Seed bugs are a diverse group of true bugs in the Lygaeidae family. They have a proboscis or beak that can pierce into seeds, plants, and sometimes other insects.

During the cooler months, seed bugs look for shelter to overwinter. That means your home can be the #1 target. A few seed bugs here and there isn’t much of a problem, but sometimes, when their populations peak, you can get hundreds of seed bugs looking to invade your space.

There are many different species of seed bugs across the US. Some are brown and dull-looking, while others can be quite colorful. Yet, a few traits separate them from other true bug families.

Seed bugs typically have oval or elongated bodies with four wings. They are pretty agile and can be good flyers, too.

If you want to identify an insect as a true bug, you need to spot a few details.

1. Their antennae only have four segments
2. Their wings will have four or five veins
3. They have two eyes on the side of their heads and extra simple eyes on the top of the head. These simple eyes, also called ocelli, detect only light and movement.

How big are seed bugs?

Seedbugs typically grow to about 1/4 to 1/2 inch long.

What other pest looks like a seed bug?

Squash bugs, plant bugs, and stink bugs can sometimes look like seed bugs. Boxelder bugs can also look very similar to some species of milkweed bugs.

Seedbugs are found throughout the United States, particularly in areas with lots of vegetation where they can access their food sources.

They are often attracted to lights at night. You can spot them near porch lights or illuminated windows. Outside, they will be living on their host plants.

Seed bugs can, unfortunately, make their way into our home. Fortunately, there are a few ways you can get rid of them without resorting to pesticides:

• Seal entry points: Caulk and seal windows, doors, and cracks to prevent seedbugs from entering.
• Reduce lighting: Minimize outdoor lighting at night or use yellow bulbs that are less attractive to bugs.
• Manual removal: Use a vacuum cleaner to quickly remove seedbugs inside your home.
• Insect Barrier: Spray an insect barrier in and around your home to keep seed bugs from entering your home. Pestie offers a DIY pro-grade solution that can keep bugs away all year!