Beetles

Beetles make up the largest category of insects in the world, and they account for approximately 25% of all life forms on earth. In fact, there are more than 5 million different species of beetles.

If you think you have a beetle infestation, you can easily identify them by their hard outer shell, which covers their wings. The wings they use to fly are exposed only during flight. A beetle's body consists of three sections, including a head, a thorax, and an abdomen.

Several types of beetles feed on wood. This can cause a lot of damage in wood structures primarily because while the wood is being eaten, the beetles remain unseen. This is true of the powder post beetles, old house borer beetles, bark beetles, the citrus long-horned beetle, Asian beetles, and others. Powder post beetles, amongst others, grow from eggs that are laid in the wood. Another type, the citrus long-horned beetle, was introduced into the United States as recently as 1999 and is currently without any natural enemies. Although not known as yet, the damage it will create is expected to be extensive.

Adult beetles do not eat wood, only the beetle larvae do. When you see holes in wood, either in structural wood or in furniture, it is because the larvae have already left and you are seeing the exit holes. This means that there is in insect infestation somewhere close-by. Generally, they will seek the same kind of wood from which they came.

Other beetles feed on garden plants, such as the Colorado potato beetle, the boll weevil, the rose chafer, the western corn rootworm, and many more. Each of these can cause millions of dollars in damage to crops of many different kinds. The presence of just a few beetles always indicates that more likely exist, and quick action is needed by a qualified Pest Control agency.

Some beetles, such as the common ladybug, are actually advantageous to have around. They are known to keep down the population of other insects, so you should not attempt to destroy them or any other beneficial beetle species.

Treating for beetles requires proper knowledge of the type of beetle species you are trying to eliminate. Wood eating beetles, for instance, cannot be effectively treated using sprays because they are located deep in the wood, where most sprays will never reach them. If you have a beetle infestation, your local Pest Control company is ready to help you.