Stag beetles, with their intimidating mandibles and large size, can be alarming if they suddenly show up around your home. However, there are humane and eco-friendly methods to deter these insects without harming them. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore why stag beetles may invade your property, how to identify them, and effective DIY and professional solutions for keeping them away.
Understanding Stag Beetles
Stag beetles belong to the family Lucanidae, with around 1,200 species worldwide. The most common species in the UK and North America are the European stag beetle (Lucanus cervus) and the smooth stag beetle (Lucanus placidus). Only the male stag beetle has the iconic antler-like mandibles used for wrestling other males.
Stag beetle larvae live underground and feed on decaying wood before emerging from the soil as adults They do not damage living trees or shrubs. Adults live just a few weeks, subsisting on fat reserves from their larval stage They are a protected species in many regions.
Why Stag Beetles Invade Homes
Stag beetles rarely intend to enter our homes Reasons they end up indoors include
- Attraction to lights – Outdoor lighting confuses their navigation at night.
- Seeking shelter – On hot days, they may enter sheds or homes looking for cooler, damp places.
- Breeding activity – Males fly in search of females and may blunder inside.
- Rotting wood habitat – Trees, stumps, and wood structures around your home can provide breeding sites.
Non-Lethal Ways to Deter Stag Beetles
Here are some humane tactics for keeping stag beetles away
- Leave them be – If they are not causing harm, let them continue their fascinating life cycle undisturbed.
- Reduce lighting – Minimize outdoor lights at night during summer breeding months.
- Seal entry points – Use caulk, weatherstripping, door sweeps, and chimney screens to exclude them.
- Collect and relocate – Carefully capture individuals and release them in suitable habitat far from your home.
- Create habitat elsewhere – Build a log pile away from your home to divert larvae. Avoid disturbing existing breeding sites.
- Use repellents – Strong scents from cloves, mint, citrus, or camphor may deter entry.
Diatomaceous earth sprinkled around foundations is another non-toxic repellent option. Sticky traps can also be used without harming the beetles.
When to Call a Pest Professional
You may need professional help if:
- Large numbers are invading nightly.
- Evidence of structural damage from larvae is found.
- Preventative measures fail to exclude them.
- An on-site breeding habitat like a wood pile can’t be relocated.
Opt for services focused on gentle capture and removal methods. Avoid those proposing harmful or lethal control approaches.
Preventing Future Stag Beetle Issues
Here are some tips for discouraging stag beetles long-term:
- Install yellow “bug lights” that attract fewer insects.
- Eliminate moisture sources like leaks, standing water, and high humidity.
- Keep firewood and lumber stacked neatly off the ground, away from your foundation.
- Seal any exterior gaps, cracks, and holes, using expanding foam as needed.
- Replace wood mulch with less appealing options like pebbles or rubber around foundations.
- Clean gutters and slope flat roofs to prevent water pooling.
- Remove fallen logs, stumps, and dead trees from your property whenever possible.
Appreciating Stag Beetles
Stag beetles are beneficial insects that fascinate children and adults alike. With some basic exclusionary tactics, we can peacefully coexist with these gentle giants in our gardens. A bit of extra care allows us to deter stag beetles without harming them or disrupting their critical ecological roles.
I’ve found larvae in my compost heap what should I do?
Any larvae found in a compost heap will usually be rose chafers, as stag beetles tend to live underground in rotting wood. You can leave the larvae where they are as they are beneficial composters.
How can you tell the difference between male and female stag beetles?
Males have the characteristic large antlers (mandibles) which can be the same size as their body (sometimes bigger) whereas females are smaller and have smaller mandibles. For more information please see our stag beetle fact file.
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FAQ
How to repel stag beetles?
Stag Beetle Prevention
Adults are usually attracted by dead or decaying wood, where they like to lay their eggs, or by tree and plant sap. Homeowners can remove decomposing wood, including old tree stumps and roots, to reduce nesting sites and food sources.
Why do I have stag beetles?
Adult stag beetles feed on tree sap and the sticky secretions of aphids. They’re found around oak trees, rotting stumps and logs, often hiding under leaf clutter.
How do you stop a beetle infestation?
Get rid of beetles in your home with home remedies like peppermint or neem oil, insect traps, pyrethrin, lavender, or diatomaceous earth.Apr 22, 2025
What are stag beetles enemies?
Predators: Bats, birds, and insect-eating mammals. Habitat: Woodland (especially oak woods), parks and gardens. Range: Southern and central Europe. In Britain, they are found in south and south-eastern areas, including London parks!
How can I get rid of staghorn beetles?
To get rid of staghorn beetles, it’s best to take action before the infestation becomes severe and plants are damaged. Use nontoxic methods to kill and repel beetles, as chemical insecticides can harm sensitive plants and the environment. Remove any decaying wood from the property, as it attracts staghorn beetles, which feed on wood.
How do I remove a bee stinger?
Using a piece of gauze, your fingernail, or another instrument, you may scrape across the stinger to dislodge it from your skin. It is also possible to remove the stinger using tweezers or your fingernail. Acting soon is crucial.
What is a stag beetle?
We believe your Stag Beetle is Dorcus parallelus, commonly called an Antelope Beetle according to BugGuide where it states: “Larvae feed in decaying stumps and roots of oak, linden, and maple.” This species does not exhibit some of the extreme sexual dimorphism found in other Stag Beetles, but we believe this is a male.
Do stag beetles bite?
Since most beetles are known for their large mandibles, they can bite. But surprisingly, not every beetle has strong enough chewing muscles to bite and harm humans. Apart from stag beetles, only a handful of other adult beetles can strongly bite.
What do stag beetles eat?
All stag beetle larvae feed in dead or decaying wood, such as logs and stumps. Most adults emerge in May or June and feed on sap that exudes from plants. Stag beetles are active at night and are often attracted to lights. They can fly into a yard, land on the ground and remain there until the following morning.
Are stag beetles poisonous?
Stag beetle bites are painful and will cause problems like bleeding, swelling, redness, and irritation. But thankfully, the bites are not poisonous and won’t cause any fatal health issues. Moreover, these bites heal themselves in a few hours or a day.