How to Get Rid of Beetles

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.

How Beetles Enter Homes

Beetles enter homes in various ways:

• Some fly in through open doors or windows
• Others hitch rides on pets or clothing
• They can also find their way in through exterior cracks and crevices in siding, especially around crawl spaces and attics

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.

Identifying a Beetle Infestation

Here are some common signs of a beetle infestation in your home:

• Holes in fabrics and upholstered furniture may indicate carpet beetles or clothes moths. Inspect for larvae around any new bald spots or damage.
• Sawdust or small holes in wood furniture could mean a wood-boring beetle infestation. Look for actual beetles or larvae crawling in the holes.
• Tiny holes in packaged foods like flour, pasta or cereals may signal an infestation of pantry beetles. Check for beetles themselves, larvae, and silk webbing.
• Leaf damage, especially on roses, grapes and other ornamentals is a sign of Japanese beetles. Look for iridescent green beetles about 1/2 inch long with metallic bronze wings.
• Witnessing beetles flying around lights at night points to various outdoor beetle species entering the home through cracks or openings. Reduce entry points.

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.

Common Home-Invading Beetle Species

There are many beetle species that can become nuisance pests in the home. Here are some of the most common:

Getting Rid of Beetles

Once you identify the type of beetle infesting your home, you can take steps to control and eliminate the pests:

• Vacuum infested areas like carpets, fabrics, and upholstered furniture thoroughly to remove eggs and larvae. Discard the vacuum bag or contents immediately.
• For pantry pests, inspect all dried foods and discard anything showing signs of infestation. Then place cleaned items in sealed, airtight glass or plastic containers to prevent access.
• Use boric acid powder in wall voids, under appliances, and other hidden beetle harborage spots. Avoid skin contact during application. Boric acid kills beetles when ingested or absorbed through their exoskeleton.
• Apply residual beetle sprays containing pyrethrins or premmethrin in targeted areas away from food prep surfaces, dishes, and utensils. Follow all label safety directions. These sprays kill adult beetles on contact and deter future infestations.
• For Japanese beetles damaging landscape plants, use pheromone traps to attract and contain the beetles. Apply insecticidal soaps or neem oil to badly infested plants to kill grubs in the soil.
• Use pheromone traps indoors to capture and monitor pantry pest beetles. This helps indicate infestation levels and effectiveness of control efforts. Replace traps every 2-3 months.
• For wood-boring beetles, drill small holes into damaged wood and inject insecticide specially formulated for wood pests. Cover the holes with corks afterwards. This targets the larvae inside the wood.
• Fumigation by professional pest control may be needed for severe infestations inside wall voids or wood structures. Fumigants permeate inaccessible spaces and penetrate wood better than sprays.
• Preventing beetle entry into the home and detecting infestations early are key. But if beetle problems persist despite thorough home removal efforts, contact a professional exterminator for stronger insecticide applications and fumigation services. Their training, commercial-grade products, and application equipment can eliminate difficult beetle issues.

Preventing Beetle Infestations

Preventing beetles from invading your home involves:

• Installing and repairing window and door screens
• Sealing any exterior cracks, holes, and crevices
• Keeping food storage areas clean and dry
• Storing dried foods in airtight containers
• Cleaning up crumbs and spills immediately
• Checking packaged foods, pet foods, and bird seed for signs of infestation
• Avoiding bringing possibly infested items into the home
• Decluttering closets and storage areas
• Vacuuming and cleaning frequently

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.