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Beetles Identification: How To Know What Pest You’re Dealing With

December 31st, 2009 Posted in Beetles & Ladybugs, Ornamental & Lawn Pests

Beetles are notoriously pesky. They reproduce rapidly and attack everything from furniture to plants. There are many types of beetles in the scientific order Coleoptera, and many of them can become fast pests in your home and/or garden.

But how do you know what pest you’re dealing with? This article will tell you how to identify some common beetles found in North America, and why they could be potential pests.

This article will explore:

• Different Types Of Beetles
• Controlling Beetles

Different Types Of Beetles

There are many types of beetles, but if you’re reading this article you’re probably concerned with the pestiferous ones. The top five beetles you’re likely to find in North America are:

• Japanese Beetles

They have shiny green heads and bronze wings and originated in Japan. They were introduced into the United States in New Jersey and have since made their way across the US.

The adults aren’t really a problem as adults. But as grubs, commonly called White Grubs, they cause patches of grass to wilt and then die. So if you love your lawn, beware of these little buggers.

• Carpet Beetles

Carpet beetles are small, multicolored beetles, usually green and brown. These beetles can be helpful to archaeologists because they will clean off bones and artifacts. But carpet beetles are also a nuisance.







They’re known to eat fabrics like furniture, rugs, clothing, and yes, your carpet. You can tell if you have a carpet beetle problem and not a moth problem because moths usually chew little holes everywhere, while carpet beetles make a large hole by eating from the inside out.
• Asian Beetles

Asian beetles come in many forms, the most common of which is the Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle, which is indistinguishable from the ladybug native to North America.

They range from light red to a deep orange and have 19 black spots on their backs. Multicolored Asian Lady Beetles are not major pests, but they will infest your home in the late fall and early winter months to avoid the colder weather.

• Flea Beetles

These are those pesky little beetles that make tiny holes in the leaves in your yard, turning your plant leaves into Swiss cheese. They are very tiny and brown with white spots. A large population of flea beetles can kill a plant and ruin any garden, so look out.







They not only chew holes in plants, but are known carriers of diseases that can kill your plants and spread to other plants as well. Your plants are most at risk in the early spring, when they’re young and flea beetles are reproducing.
• Bark Beetles

These are the small beetles that cause those trails in bark that look almost like little roads. While they make bark look pretty cool, they are actually extremely dangerous. They are one of the main carriers of Dutch Elm Disease and so can wreak havoc on trees in your area.

Controlling Beetles

So you’ve discovered a problem with one of these common beetles? You have different options, depending on the beetle you’re dealing with. But no matter what beetle is infesting your home or yard, an insecticide can be instrumental in getting rid of the problem.

When choosing an insecticide, why not go organic? EcoSMART products are made from plant oils and are effective and safe for the environment, your family, and your pets. If you have a problem in your garden with flea beetles, for example, try the Garden Insect Killer. Time to take back your garden and protect your plants.