Beetles and ticks may sometimes look similar, but they belong to different groups of insects. While beetles are part of the Coleoptera order, ticks are arachnids, related to spiders and mites.
Understanding the differences between these creatures is important to protect yourself from the potential dangers ticks may carry.
Some beetles may resemble ticks due to their size, shape, and coloration.
However, one key difference helps with identification: beetles have wings and can fly, while ticks crawl and do not possess wings.
A closer look can help you distinguish between these insects, ensuring that you react appropriately.
It’s essential to be able to identify ticks since they are known for transmitting diseases like Lyme disease through their bites.
The blacklegged tick is a common disease-carrying species. To avoid tick bites, follow prevention measures like using insect repellent, wearing appropriate clothing, and checking your body after outdoor activities.
On the other hand, beetles play vital roles in ecosystems, such as decomposition and pollination, making them generally beneficial insects despite any resemblance to ticks.
Identifying Beetles That Look Like Ticks
Carpet Beetles
- Size: Small, typically 1/16 to 1/8 inch long
- Color: Black or brown with irregular patterns
- Antennae: Club-shaped with 3 segments
- Features: Oval-shaped, tiny hairs covering the body
Carpet beetles are common household insects that can be mistaken for ticks due to their size and shape. However, they are harmless and have distinct club-shaped antennae.
Weevils
- Size: Small to medium, ranging from 1/8 to 3/8 inch long
- Color: Mostly dark brown or black
- Antennae: Elbowed with multiple segments
- Features: Snout-like mouth, oval body, and hard wings
Weevils can also be confused with ticks due to their size and shape. Unlike ticks, their antennae are elbowed and they have a snout-like mouth.
Clover Mites
- Size: Extremely small, around 1/64 inch
- Coloration: Reddish or dark brown
- Legs: 8 legs with the first pair longer than the others
- Features: Oval-shaped body, tiny
Clover mites are not actually beetles, but they are often mistaken for ticks due to their appearance. They are smaller than ticks and have a reddish or dark brown color.
Here’s a summary table comparing the four look alikes
| Tick | Carpet Beetle | Weevil | Clover Mite | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 2 to 27 mm | 1/16-1/8 inch | 1/8-3/8 inch | 1/64 inch |
| Coloration | Brown/black | Black/brown | Dark brown | Red/brown |
| Antennae | None | Club-shaped | Elbowed | None |
| Features | Oval, flat | Oval, hairy | Snout-like | Oval, tiny |
| Potential Harm | Yes (some) | No | No | No |
Remember to pay attention to these characteristics when identifying beetles that look like ticks, as most of these insects are harmless and do not pose the same risks as ticks.
Tick and Beetle Habitats
Plants and Grasses
Ticks and beetles can be found in various habitats, including plants and grasses. Ticks prefer tall grasses and shrubs where they can climb to find a host. Some common plants where ticks reside include:
- Tall grasses
- Shrubs
- Leaf piles
Beetles, such as the six-spotted tiger beetle, inhabit a variety of environments, including:
- Forests
- Meadows
- Gardens
Home Infestations
Ticks and beetles may occasionally infest homes. For instance, ticks can be brought indoors by pets or humans, while beetles, such as wood-boring beetles, may invade homes in search of wood sources.
Common ways ticks and beetles can infest homes are:
- Pets carrying ticks indoors
- Firewood infested with beetles
- Cracks and gaps in the home’s exterior
Tick season and climate change: Ticks are generally more active in warmer months, increasing the risk of encountering them during tick season.
As climate change progresses and temperatures rise, tick habitats may expand, and tick season may extend.
| Feature | Ticks | Beetles |
|---|---|---|
| Habitat | Tall grasses, shrubs, leaf piles | Forests, meadows, gardens |
| Home Infestations | Brought in by pets or humans | Wood sources, firewood, cracks in the exterior |
| Season | Warmer months, impacted by climate change | Year-round, depending on species |
Preventing Tick Bites and Beetle Infestations
Personal Protection Strategies
- Wear light-colored clothing to spot ticks easily.
- Use repellents containing DEET or picaridin.
- Example: Apply a 20-30% DEET repellent on exposed skin.
- Treat clothing with permethrin for added protection.
- Pros: Long-lasting protection.
- Cons: Toxic to aquatic life.
Here’s a comparison table of two popular tick repellents:
| Repellent | Active Ingredient | Protection Time | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEET | 20-30% DEET | 4-8 hours | Skin and clothes |
| Picaridin | 20% Picaridin | 8-12 hours | Skin and clothes |
Pet Care and Prevention
- Regularly check pets for ticks.
- Example: Inspect their fur after outdoor activities.
- Use tick prevention products for your pets.
- Example: Flea and tick collars or topical treatments.
- Consult your veterinarian about suitable products.
General Home Maintenance
- Mow your lawn regularly to prevent tick habitats.
- Use tick traps if needed.
- Pros: Reduces tick population.
- Cons: Requires regular maintenance.
Keep your home free from beetles:
- Seal cracks and gaps in your home’s exterior.
- Store firewood and yard debris away from your home.
- Install insect screens on windows and doors.
Bug Control Recommendation Tool
Common Tick Species and Associated Diseases
American Dog Tick
The American Dog Tick is known for transmitting Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Tularemia. It’s most active during late spring and summer.
Key features of American Dog Tick:
- Distinct reddish-brown color
- Larger than most other tick species
- Found mainly in the eastern U.S.
Western Blacklegged Tick
The Western Blacklegged Tick carries Lyme disease and Anaplasmosis. This tick is predominantly found in the western U.S.
Key characteristics of Western Blacklegged Tick:
- Dark brown or black color
- Smaller than the American Dog Tick
- Found in wooded and grassy habitats
Comparison table:
| American Dog Tick | Western Blacklegged Tick | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary diseases transmitted | Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Tularemia | Lyme disease, Anaplasmosis |
| Color | Reddish-brown | Dark brown or black |
| Size | Larger | Smaller |
| Habitat | Eastern U.S. | Western U.S. |
The diseases mentioned above, such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, are among many tick-borne illnesses that can also include babesiosis, Southern tick-associated rash illness (STARI), and heartland virus.
Erythema migrans, a circular rash, is often an early sign of tick-borne infections like Lyme disease. Timely detection and treatment are crucial to avoid complications from these diseases.
Recognizing and Treating Tick Bites
Symptoms of Tick-Borne Diseases
Tick bites can lead to various diseases, with common symptoms including:
- Fever/chills: All tickborne diseases can cause fever.
- Aches and pains: Tickborne diseases can cause headache, fatigue, and muscle aches. People with Lyme disease may also have joint pain. 1
If you develop these symptoms within a few weeks of a tick bite, see your healthcare provider.
Proper Tick Removal Techniques
When removing a tick, follow these steps:
- Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible.
- Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don’t twist or jerk the tick.
- After removing the tick, clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol or soap and water. 2
Here’s a comparison table to help distinguish between ticks and beetles:
| Characteristic | Ticks | Beetles |
|---|---|---|
| Body Shape | Oval and flat | Oval or elongated |
| Legs | 8 legs | 6 legs |
| Smooth or hard shell | Smooth body | Hard exoskeleton |
Remember to seek medical attention if you experience tick bite symptoms or need assistance with tick removal.
Conclusion
Beetles and ticks, although sometimes visually similar, are distinct creatures. Beetles belong to the Coleoptera order, while ticks are arachnids.
Some beetles, due to their size and coloration, can be mistaken for ticks.
However, beetles have wings and can fly, unlike ticks. It’s crucial to differentiate between them, especially since ticks can transmit diseases like Lyme disease.
Beetles, on the other hand, serve beneficial roles in ecosystems. Key beetle species that resemble ticks include carpet beetles, weevils, and clover mites.
Proper identification ensures appropriate reactions and safeguards against potential health risks.
Footnotes
41 Comments. Leave new
I’m not completely sure, but it looks like the grub may have been parasitized by a fungus in the Cordyceps genus. The “horns” would then be the fruiting bodies dispensing millions of spores. Super neat. There is a great clip of David Attenburough talking about this amazing fungus on You Tube.
Wow. Awesome. thanks for this information.
My guess, and it’s only that, is that yeah, it’s a native species [Scarabidae, perhaps] with a parasitic fungal growth coming out of it, in the manner of Cordyceps. The ‘tusk-like] growths would be fruiting bodies, meaning a mushroom.
If this is the case, the insect would be not only edible, but a pharmacological powerhouse. There is a body of lore about the positive attributes of tea made from dried Cordyceps sinensis, which parasitizes certain caterpillars.
The key detail missing from the original post: was the organism active or moribund? If the former, that would be confusing.
Might be a Stethispa sp.
hi i have these things look like a maget i have them in one corner of room i vacume them up each half day can u please tell me what to do thank u henry
Looks like no one’s going to help you.
I saw an adult of ths species yesterday in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, and it was identified by a member of a facebook group who linked to this blog.
Please check: http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2014/154/a/e/orange_and_black_beetle_by_reginasugayama-d7kwm28.jpg
Congratulations for the blog!
I saw an adult of ths species yesterday in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, and it was identified by a member of a facebook group who linked to this blog.
Please check: http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2014/154/a/e/orange_and_black_beetle_by_reginasugayama-d7kwm28.jpg
Congratulations for the blog!
I have a photo to add to my original post. How can I send it and attach it to this post?
Images can be sent using the Ask What’s That Bug? link on our site. Please indicate with which posting from our archives you would like to have the image associated.
Can the litter contain bedbugs. I have bedbugs. Could it be the litter. I don’t travel. I changed to the worlds best cat litter 6 mos ago.
That does not seem likely in our opinion.
Theyre visually,almost microscopic is how they’re able to live between pagesof closed books. Kinda transparent and silver in color, long and the slither around in pages.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_potato_beetle
I just took 3 book worms out of my Bible on 3 different pages 1 dead 2 alive . How do they get in the books ????
Mine looked just like that long white one
The PetSmart that I buy from DID NOT KNOW ANYTHING about the little bugs in the Worlds Best Cat Litter that I had just opened and put into my litter box, as I took it in to show them the hundreds crawling around in the litter and box sides! The manager just opened a new bag to check it and replaced my bag. I then realized that litter being made from corn could cause bugs.
if you find a pantry beetle in a piece of chocolate, is the chocolate still safe to eat?
We do not have the necessary scientific qualification to answer safety questions.
Ptilinus ruficornis?
http://www.whatsthatbug.com/2011/06/26/beetle-with-pectinate-antennae/
Thanks so much Cesar. We will update the posting immediately.
Ptilinus ruficornis?
http://www.whatsthatbug.com/2011/06/26/beetle-with-pectinate-antennae/
Thank you for your response. The exterminator found them in wood that we had brought in to dry out. The wood was on the fireplace hearth. We thought they might also be cedar beetles.
I am veronica and i have actually found a book worm that looks like all cartoon book worms in goldsboro Nc
How do u get rid of them?
Same! i just ate a hershey kiss and bugs were in it! i ate 3!! I’m honestly disgusted but i want to know will it harm me?
Hi everyone, I think I am having the same problem but, it has just reached epidemic problems. I see some bugs in my cat litter is changed & cleaned weekly and cleaned daily. I also use one of the best cats litters to. Mine is a clay litter. But all of a sudden around end of summer early fall I have bugs little black ones that either leap of fly and they flock around my cat food. the cats and I can’t stand them any more. I have even cleaned my food pantry out. How to do we eliminate these little bugs and how did we get infested with them. Are they in the cat food and litter from the source we obtain them at. We buy local and get delivery sometimes? If any one can help let me know and please post an answer. I am in Southern California and I am going to call my vet now to see what they say. I am thingking I will have to set off some kind of insect killing fogger in my home and start with new food and litter. I mean I even thoughmanybe something craweled under my garden windows and died and these buys were from that even though there is no smell. I will post what my vet says to do. Thank you
Hi everyone, I just got off the phone with my vet’s office regarding these little cat littler bugs and food bugs are the same.
I have tried everything and way to clean and disinfec safetly to rid my home of theses little bug so now I am going to use a fogger spray you can set up in any and all rooms and set off at same time. I will get one that deals with animal and meal pantry pest. I know we will have to leave the house for some many hours (this includes your pets and instruceitons will tell you how to care for your food and didhes before setting off fogger. I will also make sure my cats are clean and have there collars or drops on. (my house cats get to walk outside daily, (weather permitting) on a leash and harness. This way Iwill get this problem resolved before Chritmas get togethers. My vets office said they have had no complaints or surge in this type in the area and not aware of any out break of anything. So I will check the local homeware store for spray but also check petsmart too to see what they have and or advise. I wish I know more because I want to learn from this experience to share with other pets owners regarding this Litter bugs or pet food / pantry food bugs. By the way the pantry bugs do serarch out your and all types of grains from crakers,
corn, all grains, etc. bread crumbles and I have had them invade all airtight containers, (those spendy ones from BB&beyond) Mason jars etc. And Dont forgeet your flour too! out it goes and mark new bag and place in a container. Same with your sugars too. Sorry I have to check my zip loc bags as these buys will crawl inside boxes to lay eggs, Like in your flour! and you must eleminat all bugs , shells and worms or you will get reinvested. Another tip, check your accustic ceiling look there they seem to like acoustic. Thats why I got rid of mine and second tip. If you have any wood cabinets, carts, tip them over after you empty them out and clean all these areas too you will be surprized what you find under there, I will also vac and clean under my fridge and stove and have done my trash compactor too!!! Hope this helps, There must be something we can mix that is natural in the cat litter to stop them naturally. Merry Christmas, Y’All I will keep checking posts to see if we can get a name for this pest. and how to rid our home and pets from it. I know I check the outside of boxes and bags beofre I buy to look for webs or bug casings.
I was recently at a PetsMart & the bags of sWheat litter was nasty! Dead bugs & what looked like bird poop on it. I told a worker but this is not the 1st time I’ve seen this. I was not about to touch it.
Hi everyone, I just got off the phone with my vet’s office regarding these little cat littler bugs and food bugs are the same.
I have tried everything and way to clean and disinfec safetly to rid my home of theses little bug so now I am going to use a fogger spray you can set up in any and all rooms and set off at same time. I will get one that deals with animal and meal pantry pest. I know we will have to leave the house for some many hours (this includes your pets and instruceitons will tell you how to care for your food and didhes before setting off fogger. I will also make sure my cats are clean and have there collars or drops on. (my house cats get to walk outside daily, (weather permitting) on a leash and harness. This way Iwill get this problem resolved before Chritmas get togethers. My vets office said they have had no complaints or surge in this type in the area and not aware of any out break of anything. So I will check the local homeware store for spray but also check petsmart too to see what they have and or advise. I wish I know more because I want to learn from this experience to share with other pets owners regarding this Litter bugs or pet food / pantry food bugs. By the way the pantry bugs do serarch out your and all types of grains from crakers,
corn, all grains, etc. bread crumbles and I have had them invade all airtight containers, (those spendy ones from BB&beyond) Mason jars etc. And Dont forgeet your flour too! out it goes and mark new bag and place in a container. Same with your sugars too. Sorry I have to check my zip loc bags as these buys will crawl inside boxes to lay eggs, Like in your flour! and you must eleminat all bugs , shells and worms or you will get reinvested. Another tip, check your accustic ceiling look there they seem to like acoustic. Thats why I got rid of mine and second tip. If you have any wood cabinets, carts, tip them over after you empty them out and clean all these areas too you will be surprized what you find under there, I will also vac and clean under my fridge and stove and have done my trash compactor too!!! Hope this helps, There must be something we can mix that is natural in the cat litter to stop them naturally. Merry Christmas, Y’All I will keep checking posts to see if we can get a name for this pest. and how to rid our home and pets from it. I know I check the outside of boxes and bags beofre I buy to look for webs or bug casings.
I’ve sold and handled thousands of old books and I’ve only seen worm holes a few times. They are quite distinctive but must be pretty rare. Michigan’s climate limits some bugs from a long life.
Thanks so much for your expert input on this matter.
I have been using Worlds Best cat litter for several years. I sometimes find tiny little bugs the size of a rice kernel or smaller in the laundry room where the litter box is. They are a very light tan color and disintegrate easily. I haven’t seen them in the litter but wonder if they could be little eggs from the corn that makes up the litter. Any suggestions as to what they are?
Have found bugs in my individually wrapped Hersheys candy. Are they harmsul??? Think I will return them to Walmart!
I just bought World’s Best Cat Litter from Walmart.com. All 3 bags are infested with small black bugs. They crawled out of the bag and are now in several places in our bathroom. I have thrown everything away, and cleaned with vinegar and water. I put Young Living Citronella along three baseboards where the cats Do NOT Go. Many oils are bad for cats—and I’m a huge fan of these oils! Only ones we use. They help humans and other animals, but cats are super sensitive! But a toxic digger was just not an option for us! Too soon to tell. Have put all our flour, etc. in the freezer. I am so disappointed because I trusted this brand!
im like wtf they wont stay out of my noodles lol
We just started using corn litter (about 3-3 weeks ago), thinking we were being “eco-friendly”; but now we have and infestation of
a “smoke” which is alive (little bugs flying),and it is killing some house plants. We’ll have to discard the corn litter, and go back to clay litter for now.
We just started using corn litter (about 3-3 weeks ago), thinking we were being “eco-friendly”; but now we have and infestation of
a “smoke” which is alive (little bugs flying),and it is killing some house plants. We’ll have to discard the corn litter, and go back to clay litter for now.
Since I’m noticing a running theme here, insect droppings are generally so minute in quantity that they won’t be enough to be harmful. If I had a heavily infested piece of food I’d sooner throw it out, just like I would if I found an insect leg in that chocolate, but it ought to be perfectly safe. The basic food safety rule still always applies, of course: if in doubt, throw it out.
It’s likely that you’ve eaten the bugs themselves. Insects themselves are generally safe to eat — if anything, they’re quite nutritious. There are very few varieties of bugs that are poisonous to humans, and most of them are only poisonous in “that’s way too many goddamned beetles” quantities. Like, buying-a-box-of-Screechin’-Beetles quantities: http://www.amazingsuperpowers.com/2008/04/noisy-cereal/ + http://www.amazingsuperpowers.com/hc/04142008/
You are likely to eat a few thousand bug fragments per year in most of your food as it is. No-see-ums and other fruit flies are big culprits, but even things like bug parts might roll into processed foods.
Yes, it’s disgusting. No, it’s unavoidable. =)
The USFDA even explicitly permits bugs in your food, provided it’s not in excess of 60 insect fragments per 100 grams… though these fragments are usually too small to see except under magnification. A fully intact leg of a cockroach is definitely something that should be eliminated during quality control, and you have every right to complain if you find one. But a tiny crunchy bit of exoskeleton the size of the point of a pin, you might never even notice.
Long story short: don’t worry about it. It’s gross, but that’s about it.
Hi my son owns a pill bug teratourium and i found the smallest m&m’s ever so i was at work about to eat them when i wondered if they could eat them.
im bassicly asking if pill bugs can eat m&m’s