Welcome back Boisea trivittata, also known as the boxelder bug. After a long winter’s nap inside the crevices and walls of your home, they are coming out of hiding to bask in the warm, spring sunshine. They feed on leaves, flowers, and soft twigs and are usually not harmful unless they gather in large quantities. In the late summer and early autumn, these insects find a warm spot to rest, then squeeze through the smallest crevices and find cozy hibernation spots inside the walls of your home or other structures. Then, as spring arrives, they journey outside to lay their eggs on nearby ash or maple trees.

You can safely get rid of these bugs by diluting 2 tablespoons of soap in one gallon of water. Mix and spray directly on the bugs. Or if you want to spare the mess of a pile of dead bugs, just lay a strip of duct tape over their warm little bodies, then throw the tape away. They aren’t likely to fly away as you get close to them so they are an easy catch! To keep them from entering your home, you can put boric acid or diatomaceous earth near crevices where they may enter. Better yet, to keep these critters out of your home and conserve energy, use weather stripping to seal the cracks around doors and windows of your home.

Where should the kitchen be placed in your yard? Outdoor kitchens can be located against the side of your home, which can make plumbing and electrical connections a breeze. Or they may be better placed farther out into your yard to make the most of other features, such as your pool or other water feature (Don’t have a water feature? I can help with that too!) Other entertaining areas such as dining and sitting areas, playgrounds (need to keep the children away from hot cooking areas) and gardens need to be positioned in a way to optimize your viewing and entertaining. Overhead protection can be provided to keep you and your kitchen out of the elements. Portable walls can even be designed for seasonal closings. Arbors and pergolas can adorn your kitchen or camouflage it if you prefer.