Determination of an Effective Natural Boxelder Bug (Boisea trivittata) Repellent

Author

Reyna Chavez, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Date of Award

12-1-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Biology

First Advisor

Frank Dirrigl

Second Advisor

Chistopher Vitek

Third Advisor

Matthew Terry

Abstract

This study investigates the use of ecofriendly repellant alternatives to pest management to control boxelder bugs (Boisea trivittata). This bug gathers by the thousands on warm surfaces of exterior suburban homes during early fall and late spring. I determined bug repellency to turmeric oil (Curcuma longa), catnip (Nepeta cataria), citronella (Cymbopogon nardus), and lavender (Lavandula angustifolia). The treatments consisted of essential oils containing 20% methanol. All treatments demonstrated repellency of Boxelder bugs. Citronella was the most effective and had the highest level of repellency range of 90-99%. Catnip was the least effective with a repellency range of 63-82%.

Comments

Copyright 2025 Reyna Chavez. All Rights Reserved. https://proquest.com/docview/3292609158

Recommended Citation

Chavez, R. (2025). Determination of an Effective Natural Boxelder Bug (Boisea trivittata) Repellent [Master's thesis, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley]. ScholarWorks @ UTRGV. https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/etd/1821