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Balmy fall days won't last forever and as Ontario residents head indoors as cooler weather moves in, tiny insects are also looking for warm places to spend the winter.

Box elder bugs, Asian lady beetles, brown marmorated stink bugs, cluster flies and a relatively new invasive pest called red firebugs could end up inside homes that aren't properly sealed against insect invaders.

Red firebug invasion

Last week, City News reported on an influx of invasive red firebugs, which can appear on little leaf linden trees. The red and black bugs can be seen in clusters along tree trunks, where they congregate to stay warm. The bugs eat little leaf linden tree seeds, their preferred food source.

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According to the City of Vaughan, red firebugs, also known as European firebugs, look like box elder bugs but have a red body with two black dots on their back. Unlike boxelders, red firebugs can't fly.

Native to Europe and western Asia, the red firebug was first discovered in North America in Utah back in 2008, according to the City of Toronto. Its scientific name is Pyrrhocoris apterus.

"It has established itself as an urban pest in Toronto over the last couple of years and can now be considered a common household pest," the city stated online.

Firebug nymphs and adults seek shade during the day, much like the native box elder bugs. Red firebugs can be found amassing on homes, structures, plants and under leaf litter, the City of Toronto added.

As the days get shorter, firebugs will seek places to overwinter. The bugs can find their way into homes and other structures, becoming a nuisance to homeowners.

Despite their threatening name, red firebugs are harmless to people. Their natural enemies include mites, birds, mammals, amphibians and ants. When threatened, the bugs may respond using a scent gland on each side of the abdomen to emit a foul odour. They can also regurgitate an offensive fluid from their stomach.

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Orkin Canada named European firebugs on its list of the top summer pests of 2024.

The pest control company said the bug has been trending upward for the past few years and tends to congregate in large numbers.

"European firebugs don't transmit any pathogens or cause damage to homes or structures, but they can be a real nuisance," Orkin noted. "The sheer number of them can give people a scare. They also can emit a pheromone that attracts other firebugs, causing a bigger infestation."

Don't squish them

While they may appear menacing, if you see European firebugs in or around your home, resist the urge to squish them.

The City of Toronto said the insects can emit a foul odour when crushed, which can draw further insects into the area. You could also stain your carpet or fabrics.

How to keep bugs out of your home

Fill gaps around windows and doors with weather stripping, repair or fill holes in foundations and use window and door screens to keep pests outside. If European firebugs still manage to get into your home, simply vacuum them up and dispose of them.

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True bugs, including European firebugs and box elder bugs, are easily drowned. Spray high-pressure water from a garden hose directly on insect congregations if you happen to see the bugs on the outside of your home.

As an alternative to synthetic insecticides, use a mixture of soapy water to spray the insects directly.

Orkin Canada also recommends cleaning and vacuuming your home regularly. You should also declutter your yard to eliminate potential breeding and harbourage spots.

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