Ground Beetles
Facts, Identification, & Control
Scientific Name
Family: Carabidae
Appearance
What Do They Look Like?- Color: Most species are black with a somewhat flat and elongated body shape.
- Size: Ground beetles range in size from about 1/16 to about 1-inch long.
- Wings: Ground beetles have wings, but are unable to fly.
How Did I Get Ground Beetles?
Light attracts ground beetles to homes. The pests often crawl inside through cracks and gaps in foundations, though open doors or windows also provide entry. Since the insects prefer to live outside, homeowners will find most ground beetles in hiding places under:
- Accumulated debris
- Gardens
- Leaves in yards
- Logs
- Rocks
How Serious Are Ground Beetles?
Ground beetles are a nuisance indoors. They won't reproduce in houses and can't cause any structural damage. These insects also don't bite or sting humans. Some homeowners confuse the ground beetle with a cockroach or other household pest, causing problems with control. If ground beetles become a nuisance indoors, homeowners should direct their activities to removing as many of the beetle’s natural habitats as possible, plus sealing up possible entryways leading inside.
Signs of Infestation
The most obvious infestation sign is the appearance of ground beetles.
How Do I Get Rid of Ground Beetles
What You Can DoGround beetles frequently become occasional invaders of homes and other buildings. The best techniques to help prevent problems include habitat reduction and sealing entryways to help keep ground beetles from gaining access to the interior of homes or buildings.
What Orkin DoesYour local Orkin technician is trained to help manage ground beetles and similar pests. Since every building or home is different, your Orkin technician will design a unique program for your situation.
Orkin can provide the right solution to keep ground beetles in their place…out of your home, or business.
Behavior, Diet, & Habits
Ground beetles are members of a large family of beetles that have more than 2,000 species found in North America.
What Do They Eat?This group of beetles prey on:
- Aphids
- Earthworms
- Grubs
- Insect larvae
- Maggots
- Slugs & Snails
While ground beetles do not fly, they are very mobile when looking for prey and easily climb trees, bushes, and other items on the ground.
Where Do They Live?Ground beetles in the family Carabidae inhabit most of the United States.
Life Cycle
Ground beetles have four life stages:
- Egg
- Larva
- Pupa
- Adult
Like almost all other insects, fertile females lay eggs that eventually become adult beetles after undergoing complete metamorphosis.