Finding a bug in the house causes panic. It can be a guest that has lost its way or a pest that is attacking food or materials. A provision is necessary in order to be able to take meaningful action.

Beetles and their larvae often infest stores

Table of Contents

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  1. the essentials in brief
  2. Recognize and determine
  3. fight pests
  4. frequently asked Questions

    5. the essentials in brief

    • In order to identify beetles in the house, information about the location is important. The vermin can be roughly classified according to colour, size or conspicuous features.
    • For an exact determination of the species, it is helpful to compare the found insect with pictures of typical material and storage pests.
    • The pests have different lifestyles and food spectra, so the control measures differ slightly.

    Appearance of the bugs in the house

    If you want to know what pest it is, you should catch the bug and take a good look at the area. The place where it was found provides clues for identification, as do the body features of the animal found. After you have made a rough classification, you should consult pictures and compare your insect with the suspected species.

    Classification by color

    Meal beetles are black, caterpillars are orange-red

    If you want to identify bugs in the house, take a first look at body coloration. The insects often have typical patterns and drawings. Many beetles are monochromatic, so internet research quickly leads to nothing. To help you identify them, you can use this table of common house bugs as a guide:

    adult beetles young beetles larvae
    black Grain beetle, rape beetle, dark fur beetle, flour beetle - -
    Brown Brown fur beetle, grain flat beetle grain weevil flour beetle, carpet beetle
    Red red-necked buck - -
    reddish brown bread beetle, brown fur beetle flour beetle, grain weevil Dark fur beetle
    green rape beetle - -

    Note that insect coloration may vary somewhat depending on the individual. In some species, males differ from females. Other insects that appear in the house and apartment are often mistaken for beetles. These include fire and stink bugs or the red velvet mite.

    Classification by size

    Another important identifier is the size of the beetle. In the realm of insects there are tiny species of a few millimeters as well as those that are several centimeters in size. If you catch a beetle with a screw-top jar, you can place it on a ruler and measure the animal.

    • tiny: ball beetle
    • small: Brown and dark fur beetle, bread beetle, grain weevil
    • large: flour beetle, bacon beetle

    Classification according to conspicuous features

    Most bugs you find indoors have well-developed wings. You can watch adult beetles flying as they seek their way out. In order to identify beetles, you should look for other striking features in addition to color and size. Typical beetles with long antennae are species of longhorn beetles such as house longhorns. Other beetle genera can also be identified by clearly visible antennal segments. The common woodworm, whose larvae are also called woodworm, develop clearly visible antennae.

    Fight the most common bugs in the house

    Grain weevils are particularly common and feast on our supplies

    Material pests have evolved well-developed digestive systems, allowing them to digest a variety of materials. Storage pests, on the other hand, are less specialized and focus on energy-rich food. Since most species are photophobic and many are nocturnal, an infestation is usually discovered late. In heated rooms, all pests can appear all year round, as they are not endangered by cold temperatures in winter.

    Typical storage pests:

    • Rice grain weevil lays eggs in grain kernels
    • Corn weevil is a significant maize pest
    • Grain weevil as the most common primary pest on grain

    weevil

    Weevils represent a species-rich family, of which 950 occur in Germany. Almost all beetles and their larvae feed on plants, but there are some specialized exceptions. Subfamilies with short proboscis live on various species of plants or feed on fresh or dead wood. There are larvae that feed on plant roots or mine in leaves. Still other species are responsible for the typical growths on leaves, which are referred to as plant galls.
    A common vermin species from this family is the grain weevil. The three to five millimeter long and elongated beetle is unable to fly. It feeds on grain of all kinds and can be recognized by a large pronotum with punctiform indentations. Dotted longitudinal rows can be seen on the elytra, which alternate with solid bars. They infest not only cereals but also corn and dried fruit.

    Combat:

    1. Dispose of infested supplies and vacuum shelves thoroughly
    2. Treat joints and cracks with hot air from a hair dryer
    3. Scatter diatomaceous earth in niches
    4. Use parasitic wasps (€22.99) to get rid of future generations

    black beetle

    The flour beetle is one to two centimeters tall. This elongated beetle prefers to fly into the apartment on mild summer evenings. The longitudinal grooves that run across the slightly curved elytra are typical. While the body of adult beetles is black, the legs, antennae and underside of the body appear reddish brown. Females lay their eggs in sheltered places, from which the typical mealworms develop. They feed on animal feed, flour and grain products.

    Combat:

    • discard contaminated food
    • Alternatively, heat in the oven at 60 degrees for one hour
    • boiling water kills larvae
    • Release adult beetles in the wild as they are a popular bird food item
    • alternatively, pollinate beetles with kieselguhr

    bacon beetle

    Bacon beetles only grow up to one centimeter

    These insects can grow up to ten millimeters long and have a compact and rounded to oval physique. There are also mini bugs that are a millimeter in size. The family contains several genera, the species of which differ greatly in appearance. A brown to black basic coloration is typical. In many bacon beetles, this is covered by red, brown or yellow scales, resulting in spotted markings. The elongated larvae are covered with bristly tufts of hair and often have weir hair.

    Combat:

    • discard contaminated food
    • Have furs dry cleaned
    • alternatively freeze for ten days
    • Use lavender and patchouli oil

    prevention

    Since it is difficult to get rid of bacon beetles, preventive measures are particularly important. You should check stored food regularly and dispose of it as soon as you discover larvae or beetles. Cereals, flour, pasta, dried fruit and nuts are particularly affected. Close them well and clean cupboards regularly with disinfecting and natural home remedies. Thorough airing, beating of carpets and vacuuming of sofas are important measures to eliminate possible sources of food.

    Bacon beetles are one of the most feared pests in the home. They appear out of nowhere and are difficult to get rid of.

    nail beetle

    There are several species in this family that can occur as storage pests. Fighting brass beetles, Australian thief beetles and herb thieves or other pests is not easy because of their hidden lifestyle. In order to deprive the bugs of their livelihood, you should remove organic residues such as crumbs and animal feed and thoroughly clean all niches and cracks.

    Common nail beetle

    From this family of beetles, the common wood beetle appears as a wood pest. It grows up to four millimeters long and produces larvae that can reach a body size of seven millimeters. These prefer to bore into softwood and deciduous wood, where they leave boreholes. Round exit holes with a diameter of one to two centimeters, from which the beetles capable of flying swarm, are conspicuous. The species infests furniture, wood paneling and carvings, and floors.

    tips

    To drive away the pests, you can rub infested wood with a fresh onion. Acorns are laid out to attract the larvae. As soon as these have settled in the tree fruit, they can be disposed of.

    bread beetle

    Bread beetles live in bread and also in wood

    This storage and material pest can also occur in the beams if the wood is already damaged. Otherwise, the beetle, which is two to three millimeters long and has fine hairs on its upper side, infests starchy foods. It often occurs in birds' nests, but gets into the home through bread products or spices.

    Combat:

    • dispose of contaminated food
    • Vacuum shelves and cupboards and clean with vinegar
    • Air the apartment regularly
    • Use parasitic wasps
    • treat infested furniture with borax
    • Have wooden constructions assessed by a specialist

    bullet beetle

    The humpback beetle is called the spherical beetle because of its round shape. It reaches a size between one and three millimeters and has shiny and smooth elytra. These are brownish to red in color. The long antennae are striking. Since humpback beetles are nocturnal, an infestation is usually discovered late. They appear as hygiene and material pests and are found in old buildings and half-timbered houses. The beetles nest in cavities and infest food that becomes contaminated with residues. Fighting is considered extremely difficult.

    Combat:

    • lay out damp towels in the evening
    • collect them in the morning
    • Pour boiling water over it or dispose of it in the toilet
    • Use parasitic wasps
    • Treatment of cavities with kieselguhr
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    flat grain beetle

    This culture follower is between two and four millimeters long and is characterized by light and close-fitting hair. Its head is typically broad and has protruding compound eyes. The six teeth on each side of the pronotum are striking. Elytra are covered by raised longitudinal ribs. The beetles appreciate carbohydrate-rich food and eat chocolate, almonds and other nuts in addition to pasta and grain products. Their whitish larvae feed on flour, which becomes moist and lumpy.

    Combat:

    • dispose of food that is no longer edible
    • Freeze potentially infested food
    • Close container well
    • Use ant wasp as a parasitic beneficial insect

    Scrape

    These insects are not beetles, but represent an order of their own. The cockroach is one species that comes into question as a pest. It grows up to 14 millimeters in size and prefers warm and humid habitats. The insect nests in hidden niches behind moldings and panels, door frames and utility shafts. When it comes to food, the cockroach is not picky. It eats everything and can transmit diseases or cause allergies.

    Combat:

    • Use sticky traps with attractants to control infestation
    • Use bait cans or sprays with stomach poisons
    • continuous control necessary
    • Eliminate all water sources
    • Cleanliness increases control success
    • Seal niches and gaps in walls and floors

    bugs

    These insects belong to the order of the beaked bugs, which are related to the beetles. Their body is divided into head, chest and abdomen, resulting in a typical appearance. The insects are variably colored and can be colored green or brown to strikingly black and red.

    They get lost in apartments and buildings when they are looking for a suitable winter quarters. Since they do no harm, they don't need to be fought. It is enough if you catch the animals and take them outside. Close possible entry points.

    tips

    Put water in a spray bottle with a few drops of mint oil or a clove of garlic and mist window frames and door sills. This keeps bugs out of your home.

    frequently asked Questions

    Are there beetles that prefer to stay in certain rooms?

    Depending on the food spectrum and habitat requirements, pests appear in different rooms. Parquet beetles spread everywhere in the home where dry wooden floors or furniture can be found. The bread beetle prefers to nest in the kitchen because this is where their larvae find optimal feeding conditions. When the adult beetles swarm out, they can often be seen at the window. They often sit motionless against the walls. The locality provides you with information about the respective species.

    The bug in the house looks weird. What could that be?

    In the insect kingdom there are very unusual forms and body shapes that do not resemble the typical beetles at all. Occasionally, such insects also get lost in houses and apartments when the animals are looking for a place to hibernate. Such a phenomenon could be observed in Bremen in 2022, when masses of strange beetles entered buildings. It was the American pine bug, which is considered harmless.

    Which bugs also live in the house in winter?

    Many species of bacon beetle appear as vermin that can also be observed in heated rooms in winter. These include museum beetles, carpet beetles, cotton weed beetles and fur beetles. In nature, the insects overwinter in the larval stage, so that they hatch in the coming spring and swarm out in search of a mating partner. The typical development cycle lasts about a year for most species. If the environmental conditions are good all year round, development is shortened and the vermin can produce several generations per year.

    What are the most common bugs that can appear in the home and damage supplies or materials?

    There are a number of beetles that prefer to settle on food or materials in human surroundings. The success of the fight depends on the way of life, which can be more or less hidden depending on the species. Regular control measures and thorough cleanliness are of great importance in order to get the pest infestation under control.

    The most common beetle pests include:

    • leaf beetle: Edible bean weevil
    • nail beetle: bread beetle, herb thief
    • bacon beetle: Common bacon beetle
    • predatory flat beetle: Flat grain beetle
    • weevil: grain weevil, corn weevil, rice weevil
    • black beetle: flour beetle, flour beetle

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Animals in the garden