There are over 300,000 species of beetles worldwide, and at least 30,000 species have been identified in the United States, enough to populate a small city of individual species. Beetles make up around 40% of all insect species, making them by far the most prevalent species worldwide.
Thankfully, not all of these species are in your home. However, if beetles get into the walls of your home they can set up camp and easily survive the winter, feeding on household items and causing some serious damage along the way.
Beetles are not picky about what they eat. In the wild they typically eat plant fibers, such as roots and leaves. In your home, they will eat crumbs, book bindings, carpet and more. Anything that has starch and is consumable. Additionally, some species of beetles can go up to three weeks without eating, so you need to be vigilant about cleaning.
Even when not in your home, beetles can survive the winters through a process called diapause, an inactive state of arrested development. This process is unique to insects, but similar to the hibernation process that many mammals go through. They look for shelter, burrowing into the ground, or under rocks, or into your home. When days get shorter, beetles’ metabolic rate drops, and they use excess stored fat to survive in cold weather.
As someone who’s dealt with unwanted house guests of the six-legged variety I know how frustrating it can be to spot beetles crawling around your home during winter. At Stone Post Gardens we’ve helped countless homeowners tackle this exact problem. Let me share everything you need to know about handling these pesky winter invaders.
Why Are These Little Bugs in My House?
Here’s the deal – beetles are pretty darn good at survival. When winter hits, they’re like “nope, not freezing today!” and start looking for warm places to crash. And guess what? Your cozy home looks like a 5-star hotel to them!
Some quick facts about our uninvited guests
- There are over 300,000 beetle species worldwide
- The US alone has 30,000 named species
- They make up about 40% of all insect species
- Some can survive up to 3 weeks without food (stubborn little things!)
Meet Your Unwanted Roommates
The most common beetles you’ll find chilling in your house during winter are:
-
Carpet Beetles
- Small black, brown, or multi-colored
- Love munching on:
- Carpets
- Clothing
- Natural fibers
- Upholstery
- Mattresses
-
Drugstore Beetles
- Total pantry raiders
- Will eat:
- Dried foods
- Spices
- Pet food
- Cereals
- Pasta
-
Wood Boring Beetles
- The furniture destroyers
- Target:
- Wood framing
- Furniture
- Bookshelves
- Trim work
How to Know If You’ve Got Beetles
Look out for these telltale signs:
- Little round holes in your food packages
- Mysterious holes in clothes or furniture
- Sawdust under baseboards
- Tiny brown/black beetles near food
- Creepy crawly larvae in your pantry
Keep Those Bugs Out!
Here’s what we at Stone Post Gardens recommend to beetle-proof your home:
Outside Work:
- Seal up cracks in your foundation (those sneaky bugs can squeeze through tiny spaces!)
- Fix damaged screens (no free entry!)
- Keep trees and shrubs trimmed (at least 20 feet from house)
- Move firewood away from house (they love hitching rides!)
Inside Work:
- Vacuum regularly (especially carpets – trust me on this one!)
- Store food in airtight containers
- Clean up spills ASAP
- Check dark corners regularly
- Keep your house dry (fix those leaky faucets!)
OMG, They’re Already Inside! Now What?
Don’t panic! Here’s your battle plan:
-
Immediate Actions:
- Throw out infested items
- Vacuum thoroughly
- Clean all surfaces
-
Treatment Options:
- Use insecticide dusts in wall voids
- Try foggers for severe cases
- Heat treatment (130-140°F)
- Freeze affected items for 2 weeks
Pro Tips from Our Experience
We’ve learned a few tricks over the years:
- Beetles hate light – use this against them!
- Regular cleaning is your best defense
- Check your groceries before bringing them inside
- Don’t ignore small signs – they multiply fast!
When to Call the Pros
Sometimes DIY just doesn’t cut it. Consider professional help if:
- You’ve tried everything and they’re still there
- The infestation is widespread
- You can’t find the source
- You’re seeing serious damage
Year-Round Prevention
Don’t let your guard down just cuz winter’s over! Keep up with:
- Regular home maintenance
- Seasonal inspections
- Prompt repairs of any damage
- Good cleaning habits
Wrapping It Up
Living with beetles ain’t fun, but with these tips, you can show them the door! Remember, prevention is way easier than dealing with an infestation. Keep your home sealed, clean, and dry, and you’ll be much less likely to host these unwanted winter guests.
Got more questions about dealing with beetles? Drop us a line at Stone Post Gardens – we’re always happy to help keep your home bug-free!
#gardening #pestcontrol #homecare #winterpests
How to prevent beetles in your home?
While beetles outside are okay, nobody wants beetles in their home at any time of the year, winter or summer. Follow these tips to discourage beetles from getting into your home:
- Fill cracks in the foundation of your home
- Replace damaged weather stripping around windows and doors
- Maintain your lawn and landscaping
- Move firewood at least 20 feet from your home
- Trim tree branches that are near your home or roof
- Fix Leaky Faucets and reduce standing water
- Clean your fireplace
- Clean houseplants
What are Winter Beetles?
“Winter Beetles” is a common misnomer that gets thrown around when people find these pests inside their homes in the winter. In truth, all beetles are winter beetles, as long as they get into your home before it gets too cold outside. If they’re in an artificially lit area like your home, they are less likely to go into diapause and can stay fairly active throughout the cold months. Besides beetles hiding in your walls, you may also have carpet beetles, who are a common pest that live in and eat the carpet in your home. Vacuuming often is the best way to prevent these insects from overrunning your home and creating serious damage.
Why Bugs Are in Your Home in Winter
FAQ
Can beetles fly around your home?
Some beetle species have wings, and they can fly around your home. For example, warehouse beetles and drugstore beetles are two common flying beetles. Although rarer in homes, flying click beetles can sometimes find their way into your kitchen, living room, or bedroom through open doors or windows. House Beetles cause a lot of damage to homes.
Are pests coming to your home over the winter?
As outdoor food sources dry up over the winter, pests will be on the lookout for indoor options—and providing easy access to pantry items or other insects that they can feed on will encourage pests to head into your home.
How do you keep beetles away from your home?
Keeping your home free of unwelcome beetle guests often involves a combination of cleanliness, prevention, and control. Although with over 400,000 different types of beetles, only a select few find the inside of our homes a suitable habitat.
Why do beetles come into my home?
Food. Beetles may come into your home in search of food. This could attract beetles if synthetic materials or cardboard lying around. As well as any open gains or food parcels in your kitchen such as flour or cereals. Warm & damp areas.
Are beetles common indoors?
Beetles are a diverse group of insects that you might stumble upon in your home. These little critters come in all shapes, sizes, and colors and might just be more common indoors than you think.
How do beetles end up in a home?
A common way beetles end up in a home has to do with infested products. A consumer may unknowingly bring them in with something they purchased. If you store grains purchased in bulk, inspect them regularly to make sure beetles aren’t living in there. Sometimes, they will be found inside of pre-packaged foods you buy.