The fall and winter mean a few things: fall clean-up, the first sign of snow and the return of the Boxelder bug.

The small, black and orange bugs are back in the area and can be found hanging outside of Southern Alberta homes.

Gordon White, Urban Forester with the Town of Okotoks says despite their some what odd appearance, they aren't a threat to anyone or could cause a problem to your trees.

"They might be in large numbers but, you shouldn't see significant or a lot of damage in your trees," he says. "Its not an insect that we want to spray or try to control because it doesn't have a significant effect on a tree's health."

White says the Boxelder Bug does not have the impact that perhaps termites could have on one's home.

"They're not an insect pest that causes serious consequences to maple trees."

White says despite the populations being high in the early fall you can sweep them up or spray just water on them to keep them at bay.

Once the cold hits, like any other inspect except the odd spider living in the basement, they usually feel the wrath of old man winter.

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