What you should know about these beetles is that they are not dangerous. They look scary because of the large mandibles that protrude out in front. While they are capable of biting they rarely do so. Some varieties can spray out a liquid that isn’t harmful but may cause mild skin irritation.
Ground Beetles 101
There are some 40,000 species of ground beetles worldwide. This makes them one of the largest insect families on the planet. In the United States, there are 2,339 known ground beetle species. They come in a very wide range of shapes, colors, and sizes, much like us humans. Besides their obvious mandibles, they have long, strong legs. Ground beetles can be a benefit to pest control in your gardens because they prey on many types of insects. They are considered voracious predators in their domain. While mom and dad are topside getting to business, the larvae are underground doing the same, consuming any subterranean pests they can find. The downside to the ground beetle’s healthy appetite is that they consume beneficial garden pests as well.
Their diet does not consist only of insects but of seeds as well. They play a large role in seed predication, meaning they eat the seeds that weeds drop to the ground. It is estimated that a healthy ground beetle population will reduce weeds in your garden by 30%.
Why They Invade
To put it simply, they will invade your property if it has what they need: an abundance of food, shelter, and water. They will live under rocks, in fallen trees, wood and leaf piles, or any other damp, dark, and secluded spot.
They prefer the outdoors, but will occasionally wander in through a crack or under a door sweep. Once they are in, they generally find nothing of interest and look for a way out. The problem is when the beetle population is high and the occasional invader becomes a regular invader.
Prevention Tips
Preventing ground beetles is really all about making your Elizabeth City property less inviting. You have heard “if you build it they will come.” Well, this is no different. If your yard meets the criteria of food, water, tall grass, and plenty of shady places to hang out. Then you have extended the invitation.
- Replace exterior white lighting with yellow, insect-resistant lighting in locations where it is not a security issue. Ground beetles are drawn to light white lighting and it will cause swarming.
- Keep landscaping and grass trimmed. Tallgrass is an invitation to ground beetles and other pests.
- Clear away yard debris. Ground beetles use leaf piles, fallen trees, and brush piles to hide from the drying effects of the sun and, in these places, they can also find a food source.
- Remove items that block the sunlight and create areas that are dark and damp. These are perfect locations for ground beetles, spiders, cockroaches, and many other pests.
- Examine foundation walls for cracks and seal them. Look for gaps in the weatherstripping around doors and damage to door sweeps. Examine window frames and repair holes, gaps, or cracks.
- Install door sweeps and weather stripping. Make sure that all screens are in good repair.
Since having these beetles can be both good and bad, you need to determine which is most important to you.
Pest Control
North Carolina is geographically in a great spot for ground beetles. They thrive in our climate making them a nuisance to homeowners. With Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our All-Season plus frequent lawn invader program will put an end to your ground beetle problem. Call today for a free estimate.