You may be worried about the presence of ants, spiders, or wildlife around your property this summer; however, if these pests are all you're concerned about, you'd be forgetting one of the most frustrating and prevalent backyard pests - the humble beetle. Beetles are insects that hail from the Coleoptera family, considered some of the most prevalent pests in the world. Beetles make up more than 25% of all life on this planet and include 40% of the insect kingdom.
Common local beetles that sometimes invade Houston homes include saw-toothed grain beetles, confused flour beetles, powderpost beetles, carpet beetles, cigarette beetles, and drug store beetles. Although each of these has different characteristics according to their species, some universal characteristics help homeowners identify them. If you are looking for beetles around your Houston home, look for:
- Pests with hard exoskeletons.
- Insects with six legs and two antennae.
- Creatures with curved, rounded, or oval-like exoskeletons.
Beetles may not appear malicious at first. However, their presence inside your home or business may be the first step towards a complete hostile takeover.
Helpful Beetle Prevention Tips For Houston Homeowners
There are many reasons why beetles may decide to infiltrate your Houston home. From food items to water puddles, there could be a few factors creating the perfect habitat for beetles and their families. To date, there are at least three major factors that attract beetles to homes and include:
- The presence of food crumbs, drink spills, or garbage inside the house.
- Plenty of humidity around key points of the home, as well as stagnant water puddles that keep pests hydrated.
- Safe, dark, quiet areas for these pests to comfortably stay for long periods and breed if the time is right.
Some beetle species are attracted to the more unique factors of the home. Grain beetles target unsealed flour, cereals, and rice products left unattended around the house. Other pests like powderpost beetles are only interested in the wooden items in your house. Regardless of what they are initially attracted to, these pests will cause an enormous amount of damage to your home, business, or property.
Below are just a few of the problems that can be caused by beetles around your Houston home:
- Damaged fabrics
- The destruction of furniture
- Food contamination
- Allergic reactions & contact dermatitis
Although beetles create a destructive and even dangerous atmosphere when inside your Houston home, there are some actions you can take today to reduce your risks of an infestation.
- Regularly vacuum and dust your house to prevent encroaching pests from establishing a presence.
- Sweep and mop the floors often to reduce available food supplies.
- Do not purchase any grains from the store in packaging that appears to be ripped, torn, or tampered with. Also, do not buy bulk grains.
- Seal any cracks or crevices around the house, taking care to caulk with waterproof sealant.
Control Beetles The Right Way With Help From All-Safe Pest & Termite
Beetles are unwelcome insects around any Houston lawn. No matter their intentions, it is important to have a dedicated pest control plan to deal with them swiftly. For more advice or assistance related to the control of beetles in Houston, contact the All-Safe Pest & Termite professionals. After years of combining our services with cutting-edge technology, our team is prepared to take on any beetle infestation. We also offer pest control for Houston businesses. Submit an online contact form today and get connected with a reputable agent in Houston; we're looking forward to serving you!