Tips to Control Overwintering Beetles

There are “400,000 species of beetles worldwide of this number several hundred are common to gardens, on land their habitat are numerous some of which include living in dung, rotting wood or plant material, in carrion, on vegetation, fungi, caves, cracks in coastal rocks, stones, compost heap, trees and their barks, leaf pile, trumpery, high up on mountains, meadows, seashore, salt flats, swamps, under leaves on or in flowers, garden beds, leaf debris. Beetles can be found in deserts, some beetles are aquatic, living in bodies of water that range from small puddles to cold mountain streams.

It seems like a beetle’s natural habitat is endless, during the colder weather many of these beetles seek shelter in leaf litter and under garden debris some will seek shelter in more covered areas like our homes, shade, and garages where they will overwinter emerging once the warmer months returns.

Their presence in your home can cause a stir or become a nuisance as they feed on many household items from package foods to book bindings, rugs, carpet, blankets, pillows, decorative items, upholstery, sweaters, comforters, scarves, toys, leather, felt, wool, feathers, silk, etc.. with this amount of damage caution and quick action should be taken to winter-proof your homes to ensure beetles can’t get in.

How to Stop Beetles from Overwintering In Your Home

Some simple yet effective steps can be taken to keep beetles from overwintering in your home, to control beetles from moving indoors during the winter months first control them outdoors as a safe-proof way to bring beetle control. Although taking these steps may not completely remove beetles from your landscape and gardens these steps will help to reduce their numbers bringing better control of their population from seeking shelter indoors.

• Maintain flower gardens and plant beds by the removal of leaf piles, debris, and other dead plant material, this will reduce places for beetles to shelter.
• Trimming back the branches of trees that are touching your home or roof is so important because beetles like other insect pests and rodents for example mice and rats will use tree branches that are making contact with your home as a bridge to travel from the ground onto your home followed by seeking an entry point.
• Keeping your lawn at the proper mowing height can also discourage the presence of beetles, tall or overgrown grasses act as a hiding place and a shelter for beetles.
• Firewood should be stored of the ground on racks or at least stored 20 feet away from your home.
• Before removing and storing any outdoor garden furniture away for the winter first inspect to see if there are hitchhikers ( beetles including other insects) that may be attached to these furniture.
• Before moving outdoor potted plants indoors inspect that there are no insects or even a lizard or two that may be seeking a warmer location from winter chill.
• Seal cracks and crevices in your home’s foundation with caulk.
• Look for openings around your door and windows, and fix or seal any small openings that you find with caulk.
• Replacing whether stripping around windows and doors if needed.
• Insects can squeeze in small openings under doors so ensure to install or replace the door threshold.
• Cut off the water source by fixing any pipes or faucets that are leaking both out and indoors.
• Containers that collect water out and indoors should be removed.

Signs that Beetles are Living Indoors

• Seeing them in your home.
• If there is an infestation you may smell an odor that’s strong and unpleasant.
• The eggs of beetles are small and oval-shaped, these eggs can be found in clusters in cracks in the wall or outdoors under rocks.
• Beetle droppings or feces are often granular dark and small, these droppings can be found where beetles are living in basements, under furniture, and closets.

Where to Inspect for Beetles

Here are a few places to inspect to find beetles.

• Because basements are usually cool and dark beetles will seek shelter there.
• Search under your bed and sofa.
• If there are cracks and crevices indoors may be a haven for beetles, for example, walls, ceilings, and floors.

How to Remove Beetles from Your Home

If beetles have already found their way into your home then your next step is to take these actions.

• Make sure always after food preparation and consumption to sweep up and remove food particles.
• Mob or dry up water spills including tea, coffee, and other drinks.
• Store packaged dry foods in airtight containers.
• Make sure that your home remains clutter-free.
• Use Food-grade diatomaceous earth. Lightly sprinkle near entry points and areas where beetles were spotted. Once beetles come in contact with diatomaceous earth will dehydrate them killing them. Reapply as needed.
•  Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water in a 32 oz. spray, shake the solution well, and apply directly to beetles to kill them. Reapply as needed.
• Carefully pouring boiling water on beetles will kill them.
• Add a few drops of peppermint oil to a 32 0z hand spray with water, shake this mixture well, and spray directly on beetles or in areas where they were seen. Beetles hate the strong scent of peppermint and will stay away.
• Neem oil is a natural insecticide and will kill beetles, spray neem oil directly on beetles or in areas where beetles are seen.
• Essential oils mixed with water in a 32 0z bottle will kill beetles.

Additional information

Some products can be purchased from your nursery or garden center labeled to kill beetles, make sure the choice of products is safe to use indoors around children and pets by reading and following the manufacturer’s directions on the label.

Conclusion

Creating and implementing an action plan to deter or remove beetles from your home will ensure you have an environment that is free of them, this guide will assist you in creating that action plan. Implementing a few of these methods will work for you because they have been tried and tested to give the results you are looking for.