Black beetles are extremely damaging in their larvae and adult stage! And although they have a vast diet, these annoying insects are particularly damaging to agriculture.
Once they infest your home or backyard, black beetles can destroy a vast variety of plants, vegetation, and grass! They especially target tasty plants like potatoes, eggplant, pepper, tomatoes, cabbage, kale, broccoli, and more!
Black beetles are typically regarded as a perimeter pest (often surrounding the perimeter of your home). But when left to populate and nest freely, black beetles will invade your home and run amok, all while wreaking havoc on your cereals and similar foods.
Homeowners want to find out how to get rid of black beetles at first sight of an infestation_and it's pretty obvious why.
In this post, we will thoroughly discuss the best way on how to get rid of black beetles in your home and backyard; we will also give you effective tips on how to keep these destructive pests away from your home.
Identifying Black Beetles In The House Or Yard
There are numerous species of black beetles that can invade homes, all of which are arthropods belonging to the insect order Coleoptera. Some black beetle species are completely harmless and, indeed, very beneficial in performing valued services like keeping bugs out of your home.
But even though not all black beetle species are considered pests, they can be very damaging when in their larvae stage. A good example is the black carpet beetle that can eat through your rugs, upholstery, and clothes. Beetles have chewing mouthparts, and they can bite. However, they rarely bite humans unless in self-defense!
The first and most important step in learning how to get rid of black beetles is being able to identify different black beetle species. This way, you will know precisely how to deal with the type of beetle causing you trouble.
All black beetles generally have a black color, antennae, pincers, and a hard shell. The species that invade homes tend to be much smaller than those you'll find in your yard. Black beetles also have uniquely thin wings that are usually covered by very hard outer wings. They are attracted to light sources and will use their wings to fly through open windows and doors into your house.
Black Carpet Beetles
Considered the most destructive type of beetle, black carpet beetles are tiny black 'bugs' measuring up to 0.1 inches. Their scientific name is Attagenus unicolor. They are a common household invader, and their larvae are destructive to the point of being considered a true household pest.
- Their eggs are quite small (0.25-0.50mm long) and have a white or cream color. You will easily identify black carpet beetle eggs by their oval shapes and pinelike projections at one end.
- Young black carpet beetles usually start out as white colored beetles and gradually get a dark and black color as they mature. Their wings are typically dark brown or black, sometimes having light patterns on their elytra.
- Upon closer inspection, you may notice very tiny hairs covering their bodies.
- These tiny 'bugs' have an oval-shaped body and flexible antennae on their heads.
- They have wings and can fly, but you'll often see them crawling rather slowly while causing damage to cereals and cloth fibers.
African Black Beetles
- Also commonly referred to as black lawn beetle, African black beetles are more likely to invade the outsides of your home rather than the insides.
- They have a pure shiny black color all over their short oval-shaped bodies.
- Although they dont have any characteristic marking on their bodies, their underside reveals unique rusty brown markings that distinguish them from other beetle types.
- An oval-shaped head with no antennae attached to an oval-shaped body with short jagged feet.
- They are relatively small, measuring up to 0.4 to 0.6 inches in length, and have a very shiny black color.
Black Vine Weevils
Weevils make up the largest family of beetles and are arguably the largest family of insects. There are numerous species of black beetles, but the black vine weevils are the most annoying garden invaders.
- They have a dull black and bumpy oval-shaped body. Black vine weevils have wings but can't possibly fly because the wing cases are fused together.
- These active walkers have a tiny thorax and an even tinier head with two black antennae. They use these antennae to smell and locate the plants they feed on.
- Once in your house, black vine weevils are not known to cause any destruction, but when in your yard, these pesky pests can do a lot of damage to plants like lilies, asters, lilac, and more!
Common Furniture Beetles
Common furniture beetles are also referred to as house borers or wood-boring beetles. They are not as destructive as termites, and they take their time to eat through your timber. But when an infestation is ignored, their larvae can cause serious damage to your hardwood structures, furniture, outdoor deck, patio, and even support beams.
- One of the biggest signs of a furniture beetles infestation is tiny holes in your wooden structures, fine sawdust around the damaged wood, and adult beetles coming from these holes.
- Furniture beetles generally have a dark-brown or black color with a round black head and an elongated body.
- They typically measure between 2.5mm to 5mm in length and have two visible antennae at the front of their heads.
- If you look closely, you will quickly notice very fine lines running along with their dark brown or black backs and fine yellowish hairs.
- If you look closely, you will quickly notice very fine lines running along their dark brown or black backs and fine yellowish hairs.
The Biology Of Black Beetles
Understanding the biology of black beetles is vital to know the best way to get rid of them. These six-legged pests have a very hard exoskeleton and thick, hardened front wings covering most of their bodies.
Black beetles are very strong, and while some don't fly, those that do are strong fliers and can cover very large distances in a relatively short time. Their antennae are wired to identify pheromones and locate a suitable food source constantly. The receptors on their antennae also provide information about taste and smell.
This means that if you want to get rid of black beetles in your home or yard completely, then you must treat the beetle nest and the trail that leads from their nest to their food source. If this pheromone trail is not treated, the high chances are that other beetles will re-infest your home soon enough and start foraging!
Are Black Beetles Harmful?
In general, black beetles can cause damage to your fabric, wood, and food. Please note that beetles don't bite humans. But some species can be problematic, especially because they will injure you in self-defense. Species like the Black and Red Blister Beetles and the Americal Oil Beetles spray substances that can cause skin blistering when threatened. These blisters are especially painful for children and pets!
What Attracts Black Beetles Into My Home And Yard?
Most black beetle species would rather stay in your yard where there's plenty of grass and plants to feed on! But their foraging activities can accidentally bring them to your house. Homeowners often mistake these annoying pests for giant roaches, a misidentification that leads to the wrong treatment methods.
While in your house, black beetles will diligently look for food and a good place to nest and lay their eggs. If they discover these two necessities, these unsightly pests will be happy to stay.
Learn what brings them to your house, and you'll know how to get rid of black beetles. For instance, black ground beetles can accidentally get into your house via the gaps in your window seal. In that case, the best way to deal with them is by caulking up all gaps in your window seals and weather-stripping your doors.
- Location: The location of your home can readily invite beetles into your house. When temperatures drop outdoors, swarms of beetles will invade the closest home in search of warmth. Again, if there are piles of leaves and rubbish near your home, beetles are highly likely to come indoors.
- Food and Water: Black beetles are in constant search of food and little water to survive. Varying species can feed on everything from small insects, wood, cereals, fibers, and dead plants. Generally, beetles don't need a lot of water, and a small source like leaking pipes and the undried water in your drain is more than enough for them.
How Did Black Beetles Get Into My House?
As previously stated, these opportunistic pests will invade your home should there be an entry point that they can exploit. They can get into your home through the small gaps around your doors, windows, and open vents. During spring, adult carpet beetles can also fly their way into your house via open windows and doors.
You can also introduce beetles into your house when bringing in items. For instance, black carpet beetles can hitch a ride on old fabric, rugs, bags, stored foods, upholstered furniture, and you'll bring them into your house unknowingly.
Where Do Black Beetles Hide In The House And Yard?
When black beetles infest your yard, they commonly make their nests in places with mulch, wood chips, and thatch. These nests protect them from unfavorable weather conditions. However, when the elements become harsh, for instance, heavy rains, excessive heat, and too much cold black beetles will seek safer shelters to hibernate like in residential homes.
Some species like black carpet beetles will find perfect places to lay their eggs inside your house, often on your carpet or couch. Other species will wander into the dark, quiet, and secluded places. Beetles can also hide in the most overlooked areas like vents, attic, and behind appliances.
A Comprehensive Guide On How To Get Rid Of Black Beetles
Perhaps you have discovered signs of black beetle infestations in your home or yard, like damages to your crops, foods, carpets, and clothes. In that case, you must learn how to get rid of black beetles fast and effectively.
How To Get Rid Of Black Beetles In House?
Identify All Black-Beetle Infested Places
Look for all possible signs of black beetle infestation, such as the dry skin shed by larvae and tiny worm-like larvae in the seams and folds of your fabric. Closely inspect the creases on your stored items and the edges of your rugs/carpets/woolen items for signs of damage by beetle larvae.
Inspect Your Home For Signs Of Black Beetles
Thoroughly inspect all your upholstered furniture and cushions. Check the cereal and grain-based foods in your pantry and confirm there aren't any beetles hiding. Another common beetle activity area is your pet's food dish. Also, check your floor vents and ducts, more specifically those covered in lots of lint and pet hair.
Vacuum Your House To Get Rid Of Black Beetles
Keenly vacuum your entire house while paying close attention to carpets, rugs, and upholstered furniture. Ensure you thoroughly vacuum all corners and baseboards as beetles prefer to hide in these undisturbed corners. You must also inspect and vacuum your entire closet, and any other clothe storage places.
Dealing With The Black Beetle Infested Items
Identify all-black beetles-infested rugs, carpets, clothes, and other items. Separate those you want to keep from those you wish to discard. Immediately put all items to be discarded in a plastic bag and seal to prevent further spread of the critters. Discard the bags as soon as possible. Dry clean the items you're keeping or run them through a hot dryer to kill black beetle eggs and larvae.
How To Get Rid Of Black Beetles In The Kitchen
Weevils are highly likely to infest your kitchen in search of grains and starches like cereals, oats, pasta, rice, and flour. If you open your pantry and find wheat weevils crawling, you will have to get rid of all unsealed dry foods as weevils have most likely laid eggs inside! Consider keeping all your foods, including cereals and grain-based products, in a sealable airtight food-safe container.
How To Get Rid Of Black Beetles In Garden
Black ground beetles commonly invade gardens. These nocturnal pests dig down and hide in mulch and other organic matter during the day. Adult and larvae ground beetles are especially active at night, scouring the garden and feeding on pests like cutworms, mites, aphids, snails, slugs, and more! Don't kill these good bugs, as they essentially help reduce the need for chemical pest control by keeping nighttime pests under control.
How To Get Rid Of Black Beetles In Garage
Black beetles will invade your garage if there's pet food or birdseed stored there. They can also enter the garage through packages, firewood, and even potted plants. Beetles in the garage cause serious damage to stored food products like cereal boxes, meat, and grains. The best way to get rid of black beetles in the garage is by sealing all foods in an airtight container, vacuuming the entire flooring, and ensuring spills are wiped off as soon as they occur.