How to Protect Chrysanthemums From Asiatic Garden Beetles
January 24, 2024
Beetles are a large and diverse group of insects that can become troublesome invaders in homes. There are hundreds of beetle species, but some of the most common home-invading beetles include the carpet beetle, Japanese beetle, drugstore beetle, wood-boring beetle, cigarette beetle, and various species of weevils.
Beetles enter homes in various ways:
Once inside, beetles can breed rapidly and cause damage by feeding on fabrics, stored foods, wood furniture and structural beams. Controlling a beetle infestation requires identifying the type of beetle and using specific removal methods.
Here are some common signs of a beetle infestation in your home:
If you suspect a beetle infestation, inspect the affected areas closely to try and identify the type of beetle. This will help determine the best removal methods. Act quickly before beetle populations can rapidly multiply.
There are many beetle species that can become nuisance pests in the home. Here are some of the most common:
The varied carpet beetle is one of the most common fabric pests. Adults reach 3-4mm long and have a round, yellowish-brown shell. The tiny larvae are hairy and come in brown, white, or black colors. They feed on materials like wool, silk, cotton, leather, and other natural fabrics, damaging carpets, furniture, and clothing. The larvae also feed on pantry items like flour, cereals, and pet food.
Getting rid of carpet beetles centers on finding and eliminating the larvae. Frequent vacuuming of carpets, furniture crevices, baseboards, closets, and shelves helps remove larvae and eggs. Wash infested fabrics with hot water and dry on high heat. Dry cleaning also kills carpet beetles. Discard badly infested items.
Japanese beetles are a major nuisance pest of ornamental plants and turfgrass. Metallic green in color with bronze wing covers, the adults reach 1/2 inch long and skeletonize leaves, leaving only the leaf veins. The C-shaped grubs feed on plant roots under the soil. The beetles produce one generation per year.
To get rid of Japanese beetles, use pheromone traps to attract and contain the adults. Apply neem oil or insecticidal soap sprays to infested plants. For lawns, treat grubs in the soil with products containing imidacloprid or halofenozide. Maintain plant health and avoid overwatering lawns to deter beetles.
Drugstore beetles are tiny pantry pests, only 2-3mm long. They feed on a wide variety of dried foods including flour, cereals, spices, seeds, and dried pet food. Adults have a cylindrical dark brown body with a cream-colored strip on their wing covers. Quickly finding and discarding infested foods limits damage. Store susceptible items in airtight glass or plastic containers to exclude drugstore beetles.
There are many types of wood-boring beetles such as pine-bark beetles. They damage wood furniture, flooring, doors, and structural beams. Look for small round holes with sawdust or frass. The larvae bore into the wood as they develop, creating meandering tunnels. Common species include old house borers, longhorn beetles, bark beetles, ambrosia beetles, and powderpost beetles.
To control wood borers, inject insecticide into holes and tunnels. Fumigation reaches larvae inside wood. Paint or varnish bare wood after treatment. Remove severely damaged wood and make structural repairs. Keeping wood moisture low discourages wood-boring beetles.
Cigarette beetles are small pantry pests that feed on dried tobacco products, spices, cereals, seeds, and dried fruits. Adults reach 2-3mm long and are oval-shaped with brownish red bodies. They get their name from commonly infesting stored tobacco products. Finding and discarding infested foods limits damage. As with other pantry pests, storage in airtight containers prevents issues.
There are many types of grain and seed weevils less than 5mm long. Common species include granary weevils, rice weevils, bean weevils, and flour beetles. Adults and larvae feed inside whole grains and finished grain products, damaging food quality. To control, inspect pantry items for tiny holes, discard infested food, and use airtight storage containers for uninfested items. Freezing grains for 3-4 days before storage kills any hidden weevils.
The June bug is a common backyard pest in the scarab beetle family. Adults grow up to 25mm long and are a metallic green color with a brown head. The larval grubs are a white C-shaped and live underground feeding on grass roots. Adult june bugs are attracted to lights and can invade homes through open doors and windows on warm evenings. They make noisy buzzing flights and sometimes collide with people.
To get rid of June bugs, use sealing and exclusion as prevention. Caulk cracks around windows, doors, pipes, and chimneys to block entry points. Make sure screens are installed properly and keep doors and windows shut at night when the beetles are most active. You can hand pick June bugs off of plants or capture them in jars of soapy water. Turn off porch lights or use yellow bulbs. Apply beneficial nematodes to the lawn to kill grubs in the soil. Use pesticides sparingly as june bugs are pollinators. Seal any gaps around foundations to prevent grubs from feeding on roots.
Once you identify the type of beetle infesting your home, you can take steps to control and eliminate the pests:
Preventing beetles from invading your home involves:
Detecting and controlling beetles early is key to stopping an infestation before the population grows out of control. Address the infestation fully by eliminating all life stages - eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults. Combining prevention, thorough cleaning, and targeted insecticide use offers the best defense against recurring beetle problems.
How to Protect Chrysanthemums From Asiatic Garden Beetles
January 24, 2024
Do Japanese Beetle Traps Really Work?
April 22, 2024
How to Get Rid of Carpet Beetles
April 9, 2024
How to Get Rid of Japanese Beetles Fast (11 Remedies)
April 21, 2024
Top 5 Best Sprays For Carpet Beetles
April 16, 2024
Bad Beetle! The Insect That Damages Your Home’s Pipes | Ep. 51
October 17, 2023