Ground Beetles

Facts, Identification, & Control

Scientific Name

Family: Carabidae

Appearance

• 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

Ground 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.

Your 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.

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.

Ground beetles in the family Carabidae inhabit most of the United States.

Life Cycle

Ground beetles have four life stages:

1. Egg
2. Larva
3. Pupa
4. Adult

Like almost all other insects, fertile females lay eggs that eventually become adult beetles after undergoing complete metamorphosis.