Ground Beetles

What are ground beetles?

Ground beetles make up one of the largest groups of beetles living in North America. Most ground beetles are shiny-black in color, but some are metallic. They have hard shell-like wing covers that have longitudinal grooves on them. Ground beetles' heads are narrower than the rest of their body, and they have prominent, strong mandibles.

Ground Beetles have three pairs of long, thin legs allow them to move quickly. Adults are active at night, while hiding during the day. They come out at night to feed on caterpillars, snails, and other soft-bodied insects, helping to keep nuisance insect populations controlled.

Are ground beetles dangerous?

Ground beetles are not dangerous pests. They are not known to spread any diseases, and while they can bite, they rarely do. Some species spray a defensive liquid that can be irritating to a person’s skin, but this is not a significant concern. Ground beetles are nuisance pests in Oklahoma and surrounding areas that, when they find their way inside commercial properties, can become quite an annoyance to deal with.

Why do I have a ground beetle problem?

Ground beetles are attracted to properties that provide plenty of hiding spots, and other insects that they can feed on. Ground beetles are drawn to light, and often find their way inside commercial properties underneath doors or through gaps around windows and doors.

Where will I find ground beetles?

Ground beetles live outdoors, usually under wood piles, piles of leaves, fallen trees, landscaping ties, and stones. If ground beetles make their way inside your business, they will hide in quiet, dark spots. Ground beetles often invade basements, storage rooms, crawl spaces, and inside boxes and storage containers.

How do I get rid of ground beetles?

The best way to eliminate ground beetles from your Kansas business is to partner with a pest control professional. At Pinnacle Solutions, we specialize in providing customer-focused, commercial pest control services to protect a wide variety of facilities and industries from ground beetles. To learn more about the ground beetles control services we offer, contact us! 
  
Our team of experienced professionals utilizes advanced treatments and eco-friendly products to accurately identify the ground beetle species you're dealing with, and provide consistent treatment to solve your property’s beetle problem for good. Learn more about our commercial pest control services and how they can help protect your Wichita-area commercial property from ground beetle invasions and the problems they cause. Reach out to us at Pinnacle Solutions for more information!

How can I prevent ground beetles in the future?

Preventing problems with ground beetles can be a difficult task. There are several things you can do in and around your commercial facility to keep them from damaging your business and its reputation:

• Caulk cracks and crevices in your building's foundation and exterior walls.
• Place weather stripping around exterior windows and doors.
• Keep delivery or garage doors closed when not in use.
• Remove piles of debris like fallen trees, leaf piles, and grass piles from your property.
• Replace white exterior light bulbs with yellow or sodium vapor light bulbs, which are less attractive to ground beetles and other insects.
• Keep storage areas clutter free and well-maintained.