What kind of bug is this ?????

Sounds like box elder bugs. They hover around box elder trees and soapberry trees during certain times of the year. If that's what they are, then read up on the web site below to get some more info:

To identify your bug it would be ideal if you had a photo of it... Going by your description: "mostly red with a black head and resemble a beetle... large clumps on wooden fence", if the insect is round with shiny body (elytra), and red with or without spots, it could be aggregating ladybirds/ladybugs/ladybeetles. If so, then they aren't the ones destroying your trees - they don't eat wood. How are they destroying your trees - are they attacking the tree stem or the foliage? What damage symptoms can you see, e.g., web, sawdust, exit holes, chewed out leaves, etc. You need to identify the bug before deciding on what next to do! Good luck!

Maybe it is a bark beetle. Here in California the bark beetles attack the dry, old trees in the hills and eventually kill them. My advice: take one to your local agriculture extention office and someone there should be able to identify it.

We have them also they may be Japanese beetles. the best thing we have found to get rid of them , is to fill your shop vac about 1/4 full of water and suck them up. They fall into the water and drown well at least most do.

A fly on the wall, so I could see how people really act behind closed doors

I they're not termites are they box elder bugs?

What state or country do you reside? This will help narrow the guessing game...

in the fall of the year ladybugs do what you describe call your county agent and have him/her to come out and look to tell you what they are and what you need to do to get rid of them.

sounds like u need terminex

termites