Seeing red and black bugs around your Ohio home, garden, or windowsill? Several unrelated insects share those colors, and the right response depends on which one you have. This guide helps you identify common possibilities, check where they occur, and choose a safe, practical response. You’ll need only a phone or camera and, if you want a closer look, a clear container; avoid handling unknown insects.
What You’ll Need
- A phone or camera for clear photos, including a close-up and a picture showing the insect’s size.
- A ruler or coin in the photo as a size reference.
- A clear jar or cup and stiff paper, only if you need to move one without touching it.
- Optional: a magnifying glass, flashlight, and notes about where and when you found it.
Step-by-Step
- Observe before moving it. Note the exact location: indoors or outside, on a plant, on a tree trunk, near a sunny wall, or in a group on a building. Record the date and whether you saw one bug or many. Season and setting are useful clues, but neither proves an identity.
- Take useful photos. Photograph the insect from above and, if possible, from the side. Get a sharp close-up without putting your face near it, then take a wider shot of its surroundings. Include a ruler or coin nearby, not underneath the insect. Do not crush it before photographing it; crushed bugs lose important markings.
- Check its shape, markings, and behavior. Look for body shape, the pattern on the back, antennae, and whether it has wings. Use a photo or magnifier rather than your fingers. Remember that young insects can look quite different from adults, and several Ohio species have red-and-black patterns.
- Compare with common Ohio look-alikes. Use these clues to make a shortlist, not a final identification:
- Boxelder bugs: Adults are mostly black, with narrow red lines along the body and wings. They often gather on warm, sunny walls, especially around boxelder and maple trees, and may enter buildings to overwinter.
- Milkweed bugs: Orange-red and black, with strong contrasting patches or bands. They are often found on milkweed, where they feed on seeds and pods.
- Milkweed assassin bugs: Red-orange and black, with a narrower body and a curved, piercing beak. They are predators, not plant pests; do not handle them because they can deliver a painful bite.
- Spotted lanternfly: Adults have gray forewings with black spots and bright red hindwings visible when they open them; juveniles are black with white spots before turning red and black. Ohio sightings should be checked against current state guidance because distribution and reporting instructions can change.
- Confirm using a reliable source. Compare your photographs with Ohio State University Extension, the Ohio Department of Agriculture, or a university insect guide. Check multiple features and the host plant or location. If you suspect a spotted lanternfly, follow the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s current instructions for documenting and reporting it rather than relying on an old map or social-media post.
- Choose a response based on identification and numbers. A few boxelder bugs outside generally need no treatment. Seal gaps around windows and doors and repair screens to limit indoor entry. For insects on plants, first identify the plant and bug; avoid spraying beneficial predators or insects that are simply visiting. If a confirmed pest is causing damage, use the least disruptive control recommended by a credible Ohio source.
- Remove indoor strays carefully. Use a vacuum or gently trap the insect with a cup and paper. Empty the vacuum outdoors promptly if bugs are alive, and avoid crushing them on curtains or walls, where they may leave stains or odor. Don’t use fire, boiling water, or an unlabelled pesticide indoors.
- Ask for help when identification matters. Send clear photos and the location to your county OSU Extension office or another qualified local expert. For a suspected regulated or newly spreading pest, follow state reporting guidance. If someone is bitten and develops severe pain, swelling, or an allergic reaction, seek appropriate medical advice.
Common Mistakes
- Assuming every red-and-black insect is the same. Color alone is not enough; boxelder bugs, milkweed insects, and other species require different responses.
- Using a broad-spectrum insecticide before identifying the bug. It can harm pollinators and predators, create unnecessary exposure, and fail to address the reason insects are present.
- Crushing specimens or handling them bare-handed. Crushing can stain surfaces, while some insects bite or irritate skin. Photograph first and use a container or vacuum for removal.
- Relying on a single blurry image or an outdated range map. Take clear photos and check current Ohio sources, especially for pests with changing distributions.
- Trying to solve indoor clusters by spraying inside. Many seasonal invaders entered through small gaps. Exclusion and sealing entry points are usually more useful than indoor pesticide application.
Tips
- Photograph the insect where you found it; the plant or building surface can help narrow the possibilities.
- Look for clusters and repeat visits. A single visitor may be incidental, while repeated groups can point to a nearby host plant or entry gap.
- For recurring boxelder bugs, repair screens and caulk suitable exterior cracks before the insects gather. Do not block drainage, vents, or other required openings.
- When checking a suspected spotted lanternfly, photograph the insect and its location, and consult current Ohio reporting instructions before transporting or mailing a specimen.
- Keep children and pets from handling unknown insects, and wash hands after contact with insects or plant material.
Troubleshooting
The photos are too blurry: Use daylight or a flashlight, steady your phone, tap the screen to focus, and take several pictures from different angles. Zooming in afterward is often better than moving very close.
The insect does not match the examples: Do not force a match. Ohio has many true bugs, beetles, and other insects with red or black markings. Share your photos with OSU Extension or use a university identification resource that accepts images.
There are many bugs indoors: Check windows, door sweeps, attic or siding gaps, and nearby vegetation. Vacuum visible insects, then repair entry points. If the problem persists, ask a licensed pest professional to identify the species and explain the proposed treatment before authorizing it.
You see a suspected spotted lanternfly: Take clear photos, note the exact location and date, and check the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s current reporting page. Follow its instructions; do not assume that older reporting procedures or distribution maps are still current.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are red and black bugs in Ohio dangerous?
Most commonly encountered species are not dangerous to people. However, an assassin bug can bite if handled, and unknown insects should not be touched. Seek medical advice for a serious reaction.
Are boxelder bugs harmful to my house?
No. They do not eat wood, damage the structure, or reproduce indoors. Large groups can be a nuisance, and crushed insects may stain surfaces.
Are milkweed bugs harmful to milkweed?
They feed on seeds and pods, but their presence does not automatically mean a plant needs treatment. Avoid pesticides unless there is a specific, confirmed problem.
Should I kill a milkweed assassin bug?
Usually not. It is a predator that feeds on other insects. Leave it alone outdoors, and avoid touching it because it may bite in self-defense.
Is the spotted lanternfly established throughout Ohio?
Do not assume it is present everywhere or absent from a particular area. Its known distribution and state guidance can change, so check current Ohio Department of Agriculture information.
Who can identify a red-and-black bug in Ohio?
Start with your county OSU Extension office and provide sharp photos, the date, the exact location, and the plant or surface where you found it. For a suspected invasive pest, also consult state reporting guidance.