Exterior Beetle
Brief Overview of Exterior Beetles
In North Texas, exterior beetles are common, especially during warmer months. These beetles can often be found scurrying across lawns, gardens, and around the perimeter of homes. While most beetles are harmless, properly identifying them is crucial for effective pest management. Understanding the characteristics of these beetles helps prevent potential infestations. It allows homeowners to take the necessary steps to control or eliminate them before they become a problem.
Ground Beetles (Family: Carabidae)
What Do Ground Beetles Look Like?
Ground beetles are typically dark-colored, shiny insects, easily recognizable by their long legs, which make them quick runners.
Where Am I Likely to See Ground Beetles?
During the day, these beetles hide under debris such as leaves, logs, or stones. They are most active during the warmer months, especially in spring, summer, and into fall. They often make their way into landscapes and yards, where they find plenty of food. Despite helping control other pests, they may be a sign of an abundant insect population that could lead to more significant pest issues.
What Do Ground Beetles Eat?
These nocturnal beetles are predatory, feeding on other insects like ants and pests that may be harmful to your garden. While ground beetles are generally beneficial for keeping other insect populations in check, they can become a nuisance when found in large numbers around your home.
Click Beetles (Family: Elateridae)
What Do Click Beetles Look Like?
Click beetles have a distinctive elongated body and a unique clicking mechanism, which they use to flip themselves over when they find themselves on their backs. This action allows them to right themselves and serves as a defense mechanism when threatened.
Where Am I Likely to See Click Beetles?
Click beetles are primarily nocturnal, often spotted around outdoor lights at night. You might also see them in the morning after a light has been left on overnight. They thrive in areas with abundant vegetation, such as gardens, lawns, fields, and wooded areas. While they aren’t harmful to humans or pets, they can become a nuisance when drawn to outdoor lighting.
What Do Click Beetles Eat?
These beetles feed on plant materials, including nectar, pollen, and plant juices.
June Beetles (Family: Scarabaeidae)
What Do June Beetles Look Like?
June beetles are roughly an inch long and can be brown or green.
Where Am I Likely to See June Beetles?
Known for their clumsy, noisy flight, these beetles are most commonly seen during late summer when they emerge as adults. They can be quite destructive, especially during their larval stage, when they feed on plant roots and damage lawns, gardens, and trees.
What Do June Beetles Eat?
June beetles feed on foliage and flowers, often causing visible damage to gardens and landscapes.
