Beetles are an expansive family of insects found throughout Canada. Certain beetle families tend to be more prevalent, including ladybugs which feed off insects that damage crops while ground beetles devour pests in gardens. Other varieties can cause trouble; powderpost beetles make their homes in wooden structures while carpet beetles feed on fabrics like wool and silk fabric, leading people to mistake damage done by carpet beetles for that caused by moths.
Where Beetles Live
There are over 400,000 types of beetles, and they live in lots of different ways. Most hang out on plants, but some dig tunnels underground or in trees. Some even swim and live near water.
Beetles can live in almost any environment except for the super cold Arctic.
When a female beetle finds a good place to lay eggs, like in soil or wood, under bark, on leaves, or in dead animals, she’ll lay them there.
Beetle Life Cycle
In Canada, female beetles can lay hundreds of eggs after mating. These eggs are smooth. Depending upon their species of beetle, adulthood may take weeks or even years for them.
Eggs hatch into larvae or grubs that look similar to worms; they feature tiny eyes with wide mouths to grab any food they find tasty! These hungry beasts feed off of anything and anything!
Larvae shed their skin and transform into pupae before evolving into adults. At first, they look soft and pale; over time though they become harder and darker in appearance.
Beetles typically develop from eggs into adults over several weeks or decades depending on the species of beetle, availability of food sources, and environmental considerations.
Some beetles live only weeks or months, while others can outlive us all!
Why You Could Have Beetles
Canada is home to more than 9,000 varieties of beetles, such as carpet and powderpost beetles. They often enter your home searching for food and shelter through cracks in walls or around doors and windows, sneaking through cracks to gain entry.
They can also hitch a ride indoors on firewood, furniture, plants, or packages. Sometimes, they’re already hiding in things you bring inside.
Beetles have different tastes in food. Some like trees and wood, while others prefer fabrics like carpets, wool, and silk. Some munch on crops and stored food.
How Worried Should You Be?
Beetles can be beneficial, eating away at garden pests. However, others could become troublesome and cause considerable disruptions for both residential and commercial properties.
Both larvae and adult beetles can damage furniture, carpets, clothing, and more with signs such as dusty droppings or red-hued grains left behind as evidence of infestation.
Due to their wide array of beetle species, you may require assistance from a pest control service to successfully eliminate them for good.
How to Keep Beetles At Bay
Preventing beetles depends on the species of beetle; wood-loving powderpost beetles may benefit from varnish being applied over wood surfaces to seal them and block their nesting process; carpet beetles require extra work in terms of keeping things tidy, but keeping things sealed off helps.
Inspect food packaging for beetles that like crops and grains. Store food in airtight containers and keep things clean. Get rid of old products as needed.
If you’ve got an infestation, call a pest control expert to help.
Can Beetles Fly?
Some beetles can fly using their tough forewings. They raise them and flutter their lighter wings underneath. But some beetles can’t fly because their wings are too small or heavy.
To keep flying beetles out of your house, make sure doors and windows stay closed and fix any holes in screens.
Get ‘Em Out Wildlife Control can help with flying beetle problems. Contact us to get rid of infestations.
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