Illinois is home to many types of beetles. They range in size, shape, and color. If you are noticing beetles in your Illinois home, you may be wondering just what kind they are and what dangers they pose. Here is a list of the most common beetles that Quik-Kill treats for, what brings them into Illinois homes, and what threats they bring.
Ground beetles are usually black or brown and have hard-shell covered wings. These beetles can be identified by their metallic blue or green markings and grooved patterns on their wings. They range from ⅛ of an inch to 1 inch long. Ground beetles hunt and feed on insects and small invertebrates at night. They will also feed on decaying plant material. This type of beetle is usually found outdoors but will occasionally enter homes for food sources.
Long-horned beetles can be easily identified by their long antennae that are usually longer than their entire body. Their bodies are cylindrical, reaching ⅜ to 1 inch in length. Their larvae are cream-colored and worm-like and can reach up to 1 ½ inches in length. Long-horned beetles are wood-destroying pests that feed on untreated or unseasoned wood, logs, and lumber. Adult females will lay their eggs in cracks of the wood. As larvae, they feed on wood as they move to the surface. Then they pupate and become adults. The hole they leave behind sometimes is the first sign noticed of their presence.
Powder Post beetles have long, flattened bodies. They’re reddish-brown and their antennae end in a two-segmented club. Their larvae are c-shaped and cream in color. Powder Post beetles eat, and lay their eggs, inside hardwood trees. They can do considerable damage to a home and can arrive on pre-infested material.
Drugstore beetles are red-brown or brown in color and they grow up to ⅛ of an inch in length. These beetles have a unique striated appearance on their wings, and their antenna end in a 3-segmented club. Drugstore beetles feed on bread, cereals, dry pet food, drugs, hair, leather, herbs, and more. Being a pantry pest, they will spread and contaminate the food in your kitchen.
Larder beetles have an oval-shaped body that is mostly black besides a tan band around its middle. They grow to be about ¼ of an inch in length, with six legs and two antennae. Their larvae are worm-like in appearance with stiff hairs covering their bodies. Larder beetles are a pantry pest and will infest meat products, cheeses, dry pet food, animal hides, and more.
Carpet beetles have a similar shape to a ladybug but are multi-colored, usually made up of browns and tans. Adults aren’t what you have to worry about. It’s their larvae that eat animal hair, natural fibers, feathers, and dead insects. They are a fabric pest that can damage personal items and sometimes leave a rash on people’s skin. They are about ¼ of an inch in length and are brown in color with white and tan stripes.
Saw-toothed grain beetles get their name from the saw-like teeth projections along their bodies just behind their head. They are brown and have a long, flat body. Their larvae are worm-like and off-white. Being a pantry pest, they will feed on grains, nuts, tobacco, and more.
Flour beetles have several types. The most common we see are red flour beetles and confused flour beetles. They both are red-brown in color and grow to about ⅛ of an inch long. However, you won’t see confused flour beetles flying, only the red flour beetle will fly short distances. These beetles will feed on many items found in your cupboards from flour to chocolate, from nuts to beans.
Most of these beetles will enter homes one of two ways: 1) being brought in by already infested material and 2) sneaking in through gaps in the house to search for food sources. Make sure to inspect store-bought items for signs of eggs or larvae and to seal cracks that may allow them in. Caulking along windows and door frames can be helpful.
If you’re seeing beetles in your Moline home or throughout the Quad City area's, contact Quik-Kill Pest Control today. No matter which type of beetle you’re dealing with, Quik-Kill has a plan that can beat them. Don’t let beetles eat your home and food, get started today.