Types of Beetles in Tennessee

While Tennessee is home to a variety of stinging, biting, and disease-spreading insects, it is also home to a less-dangerous but still frustrating pest: beetles. As warm weather returns and the days grow longer, beetles can become a constant nuisance in your home. Discover what type of beetle may be invading your living environment with this helpful guide from U.S. Pest Protection.

Types of Beetles in Tennessee

While beetles do not pose immediate threats to you or your family, they can quickly become an unpleasant nuisance. Additionally, some species may secrete a foul-smelling liquid that causes blisters. Types of beetles you may find in your home include:

•  Black ground beetles
• Carpet beetles
• Cigarette beetles
• Drugstore beetles
• Powderpost beetles

Black Ground Beetles

Black ground beetles are one of more than 2,000 subspecies of ground beetles found throughout North America. As suggested by their name, these beetles are black in color and range from 3 to 12 millimeters in size. Their larvae resemble white grubs and can be found under mulch, gravel, and stone.

While black beetles are not typically considered dangerous pests, they can release a noxious liquid that creates blisters when they feel threatened and may potentially bite you. They are drawn to piles of mulch and leaves near your home.

Carpet Beetles

Unlike black ground beetles, carpet beetles can cause noticeable damage in your home. From fabric, carpet, and furs to food storage, many items and materials in your home can be ruined by carpet beetles. There are three subspecies of carpet beetles, including:

• Varied carpet beetles: small, black, orange, and white-speckled beetles that lay eggs in and consume a variety of materials, including carpet, wool, feathers, and book binding.
• Furniture carpet beetles: similarly colored to varied carpet beetles but mainly target upholstered furniture as food sources and places to lay their eggs.
• Black carpet beetles: black in color and the most destructive carpet beetle species. Will feed on various materials and food storage throughout homes.

Cigarette Beetles

Cigarette beetles received their namesake for their tendency to target stored tobacco. Additionally, they feed on human and animal food storage. These small, light brown beetles are strong fliers and may attempt to play dead if they feel threatened. They have a strong aversion to light and typically come out of hiding on cloudy days or during the later hours of the day.

Drugstore Beetles

Drugstore beetles, also known as bread beetles, are drawn to the spices, flour, and other dry goods in your pantry and cupboards. These tiny brown beetles are similar in size and appearance to cigarette beetles and can easily infest improperly stored food. Drugstore beetles also have a fine layer of hair on their wings.

Powderpost Beetles

While other types of beetles are more annoying than alarming, powderpost beetles can certainly cause damage to your home. These reddish-brown, ⅛-inch long beetles are notorious for damaging wood throughout your home. From your baseboards and window sills to your furniture, powderpost beetles can quickly ruin your wooden belongings.

A tell-tale sign of powderpost beetles in your home is the holes that they drill into wood. If you find tiny, round holes the width of pencil lead, you may have a powderpost beetle infestation. There are three subspecies of powderpost beetles that may invade your home, including:

• Anobiid powderpost beetles
• Bostrichid powderpost beetles
• Lyctid powderpost beetles

Schedule an Inspection with U.S. Pest Protection to Identify Beetles Today

If you’re still not sure what kind of beetle you’ve found in your home, U.S. Pest Protection experts can determine what species you’re dealing with. Whether you’ve already found beetles in your home or suspect an infestation is beginning, schedule a free inspection and estimate today.