Beetle Identification & Prevention

Frequently Asked Questions About Beetles

What are beetles?

Did you know that there are around 400,000 types of beetles living worldwide? Though each species varies in appearance, habitat, and behavior, all beetles have in common that their first pair of wings are hardened and provide a protective shell for their second pair of wings.

The beetle’s second wings are delicate and are used for flight. When beetles are at rest, their wings meet in the middle of their body and form an observable line down their back.

The Japanese beetle is a species that is common in our region. The metallic green heads and shimmery copper backs make identifying Japanese beetles easy. Other identifying characteristics include six legs, oval bodies, fan-like antennae, and five white tufts along the sides.

Are beetles dangerous?

In general, beetles don’t pose huge concerns for people. They are primarily nuisance pests and an annoyance to deal with in and around our homes. However, just because beetles aren’t dangerous doesn’t mean we should ignore them. Like other common household pests, beetles can cause some problems.

Japanese beetles are most troublesome outside in our yards and are a common garden pest. Their feeding habits cause these beetles to eat through leaves, flowers, and fruits.

Other species of beetles are also damaging and in our homes can cause damage to carpets, upholstered furniture, and fabrics. They will also get into and contaminate pantry items.

Why do I have a beetle problem?

Beetles in Columbia can become a problem in any yard that offers them easy access to their basic needs. In the case of Japanese beetles, the strong scents of flowers, fruits, and trees attract them to our yards and other outdoor spaces.

It is also important to note that a few Japanese beetles can quickly turn into an infestation of hundreds or thousands. Japanese beetles produce unique pheromones that attract them to each other.

Though beetles prefer to live outside, they also regularly wind up in our homes. Beetles get inside through small cracks and crevices in your home’s exterior (holes in screens and spaces around light fixtures or other utilities). Beetles are also moved from structure to structure inside things like pantry items and secondhand items like furniture, rugs, and storage boxes.

Contact BugOut Pest Control & Lawn Care today for year-round beetle control in Columbia.