Beetles Facts and Information

Beetles are insects that make up the order Coleoptera, which, at over 400,000 species, is the largest order of insects by far. Around 40% of all insects fall into this order. You can find beetles everywhere, from the swamp to the desert to the mountains, and they feed on everything from plant matter to meat to dung. The thing all types of beetles have in common is their elytra, which is the pair of heavily armored forewings that protect the beetle's abdomen. Sometimes, these encase a single pair of wings that allow the beetle to fly. Other times, these armored cases may only protect the beetle's body because there are no wings underneath.

Most beetles in Southern California are not dangerous to humans. In fact, most beetles are not dangerous to much of anything. For example, the ladybug, a type of beetle, is little more than a nuisance. They can invade your home in large numbers, but this is only irritating. The only things that should be afraid of them are aphids. Beetles may not be dangerous to people, but when it comes to your property, a few species of beetle can pose problems. Japanese beetles, for instance, are a destructive and invasive species that can seriously damage landscaping and shrubbery. Carpet beetles can damage fabrics, taxidermy, furniture, and rugs. And carpenter beetles can tunnel through wood and damage your home's exterior or even internal components.

Beetles are such a varied and diverse class of bugs that any number of things might attract them to your property. For instance, carpet beetles will gravitate to the natural fabrics in your home. Carpenter beetles might be interested in your nice, big wooden deck. And Japanese beetles might be most interested in your rose bushes. There are endless reasons why you might wind up with an infestation. It all depends on the type of beetle ailing you.

Again, beetles are such a diverse group that you could find them practically anywhere. You might find carpet beetles chowing down on your favorite taxidermy, dung beetles rolling your pet's droppings across your driveway, or ladybugs stalking aphids in your vegetable garden. Just about anywhere you can imagine beetles to be, they could be.

If you wind up with an infestation of a destructive or invasive species, then eradicating beetles can be a huge problem. Unlike more well-known or dangerous pests, there are not a lot of over-the-counter products that deal with beetles. That means there may be limits to your efforts to control a beetle infestation right from the start. Beetles are tough bugs, and a little bit of fogger or spray will not do the trick. It's also always more difficult to control bugs that infest large areas, like your whole yard or every inch of your carpet. For these reasons, the best thing you can do to get rid of beetles is to call in the professionals. Here at The Termite Guy, we're experts in all kinds of beetles -- both native and invasive -- common to California, and we know exactly how to help you get them off your property.

Solving beetle problems in Orange County, Los Angeles County, and Ventura County is not easy because of the wide variety of things that attract them. However, there are still a few things you can do: - Use peppermint oil sprays around your home's entry points to repel beetles. - Seal all cracks and holes in your home's exterior to block entry. - Ensure all door, and window screens are free from rips and tears. - Plant shrubs and bushes resistant to beetle infestations, like lilac and dogwood. If your attempts to make your home less attractive to beetles fail, don't forget you have the best in a beetle-busting business right at your fingertips. Contact The Termite Guy today!