Sounds scary: Household invaders.

But this isn’t about a break-in.

It’s more like a sneak-in. And the culprits have six legs, not two.

The biggest offenders are boxelder bugs and the brown marmorated stink bug.

Boxelder bugs make their way in through cracks and crevices.

Boxelder bugs feed on boxelder trees, as well as other maples (boxelder is Acer negundo, the same genus as maple) and ash.

In the fall, they look for a cozy warm place to spend the winter, starting out on the sunny sides of buildings and moving inside if given a chance.

The red and black bugs do not damage our homes.

They don’t do much damage to plants either, although they do suck sap from leaves and seeds of boxelder.

If anyone cared about the plant, it might be a problem. Boxelder trees are usually considered a weedy tree.

Most folks don’t appreciate big insects crawling around the house and bug-phobic people get really agitated.

The solution to a boxelder invasion is to seal up the cracks and crevices they use to get in.

Check for cracks around windows, doors, siding, utility pipes, behind chimneys, and underneath the wood fascia and other openings.

You can seal them with good quality silicone or silicone-latex caulk.

Damaged screens on doors and windows should be repaired or replaced.

If they do get inside, simply sweep or vacuum them up.

They do not reproduce inside the house.

If you make a direct hit with an insecticide, you will kill them. The vacuum cleaner or shop-vac is quicker.

You could consider insecticide applications outside where they congregate. Think twice before spraying.

First, if they can’t get into the house, what’s the problem?

And given the poor control provided by insecticides and the ease of vacuuming, why not keep things simple?

If you can find the host boxelder tree and remove it. This will have a big impact in future years.

The brown marmorated stink bug is a native to China.

This bug can cause plant damage.

It feeds on several fruit species.

The problem most folks have with them is when they get inside.

They fly, they stink a bit when crushed and are creepy in a bug-like way to some folks.

The control measures for the stink bug are the same as for boxelder bugs.

Seal cracks and crevices to prevent entry and vacuum those that get in.

They do no structural damage of any kind and do not breed inside the house.

Some people think these home invaders are reproducing inside the house because they see additional bugs after the initial removal.

The insects are simply emerging from hiding places.

Crickets are another little critter that may try to make a home in your house at this time of year.

Some people like the loud chirping that’s going on around their homes right now. If one has taken up residence in your house, it can be annoying.

The most common culprit is the black field cricket.

That chirping is their mating call.

Black field crickets do not cause structural damage to your home. Large numbers can chew on fabrics, clothing and carpet.

The best way to manage this creature is also by vacuuming them up or just picking them up and shooing them out the door.

These invaders are not really hurting anything, just your peace of mind.

“Growing Green” is contributed by Lehigh County Extension Office Staff and Master Gardeners. Information: Lehigh County Extension Office, 610-391-9840; Northampton County Extension Office, 610-813-6613