Box Elder bugs

[countrymom22]

I have noticed for the last 2 years that we have a lot of box elder bugs.  I don't remember seeing this many in the 29 years we have lived here.  But his year, they are everywhere!  They line the wooden fence posts, the metal raised garden beds and the woodpile.  Thankfully, that woodpile is destined to be burned at my husband's shop and not in house.  And the crazy lilac bushes, that all lost their leaves more than  a month ago, have flowers on them.  In September!  This has happened for the last 3 years.  The first year it was only 1 bloom, then last year it was 3.  Now this year there are 14 separate blooms on 2 bushes.  Mother Nature has gone crazy over here!

Has anyone else noticed an unusual increase in bugs where you are?  We garden organically and never use any sprays etc.  I'm hoping when the garden is done and I can let the chickens in there, that they will eat those bugs.

[Woodpecker]

countrymom22, my Lilacs haven't bloomed again this year, like last year. I do have crocuses up in two spots I never planted them in. I had them come up in February last year.

This is the first year in 40 years that I've been in my home that I need to have the privet hedges cut for the 3rd time this year. Usually I have them cut in May and the last time the end of July, which I did. Well they grew overtime and now need to be cut again. Mother nature is mad at us I think

[Maura]

So, how do we keep box elder bugs away?

[countrymom22]

Maura, that is the question of the day. I won't use any pesticides, so I may be stuck with them. I don't even know what they eat but they haven't bothered anything in the garden, they just seem to hand out there. At least they haven't bothered anything yet....

[Maura]

At this time of year I don't think they are looking for food they are looking for a snuggly place to spend the winter.

[countrymom22]

Lots of little nooks and crannies around here to accommodate them, unfortunately.