Beetles are a diverse group of insects that can be found in various ecosystems around the world.
While some beetles are harmless, others are known to bite or cause harm to humans when handled.
It’s important to be aware of the types of beetles you might encounter and whether they pose any risk.
Predatory beetles, such as rove beetles and soldier beetles, are among the types that may bite if mishandled.
Additionally, certain long-horned beetles, like the old house borer, can cause structural damage to homes during their larval stage, although they may not directly bite humans.
Remember, not all beetles pose a threat, and many contribute positively to their ecosystems.
For example, the six-spotted tiger beetle is a ground-dwelling beetle that helps control other harmful insects.
It’s essential to understand the different species you might encounter and practice caution when handling them.
Do Beetles Bite?
Beetle Bites on Humans
Beetles are a diverse group of insects, with about 30,000 species in the U.S. and Canada alone.
While many beetle species likes bess beetles and ladybugs are harmless and do not bite humans, some species can cause pain or irritation if they feel threatened.
For instance, ground-dwelling beetles like tiger beetles and ground beetles may bite when handled. These bites can be painful, but the beetles are not venomous and the pain typically subsides quickly.
Here are some quick facts about beetle bites:
- Majority of beetles do not bite humans
- Painful bites may occur when certain species feel threatened
- Bites are not venomous and typically do not cause any major health issues
In comparison, some common beetles that do not bite include ladybugs and long-horned beetles, such as the old house borer.
Comparison table:
| Beetle Species | Bite Humans | Venomous |
|---|---|---|
| Tiger Beetles | Yes | No |
| Ground Beetles | Yes | No |
| Ladybugs | No | N/A |
| Long-horned Beetles (e.g., old house borer) | No | N/A |
In conclusion, while some beetle species may bite humans, the majority do not. Bites can be painful but are not venomous or harmful in most cases.
Types of Biting Beetles
Blister Beetles
Blister beetles, belonging to the Meloidae family within the Coleoptera order, get their name from their defensive secretion called cantharidin.
This substance, when in contact with skin, may cause blistering.
Although these insects aren’t naturally aggressive, they can bite when threatened or mishandled.
- Color: Many species are brightly colored, often in red or yellow.
- Bite Effects: Blisters, skin irritation, and in rare cases, severe reactions.
Examples of blister beetles include the striped blister beetle and the Spanish fly. Handling them with care is crucial to avoid adverse effects.
Stag Beetles
Stag beetles, also part of the Coleoptera order, are known for their enlarged and often impressive mandibles.
Males use these for fighting other males and securing mates. While they may appear intimidating, stag beetles are generally harmless to humans. However, if provoked or mishandled, they may bite.
- Color: Typically brown or black, with some species displaying red accents.
- Bite Effects: Painful but usually non-harmful pinch, with no lasting damage.
Examples of stag beetles include the antlered American stag beetle and the Eastern stag beetle. It is essential to remember that they are more afraid of you than you should be of them.
| Beetle Type | Bite Effects | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Blister Beetles | Blisters, skin irritation | Striped Blister Beetle |
| Stag Beetles | Painful pinch, no lasting damage | Antlered American Stag Beetle |
Symptoms and Reactions to Beetle Bites
Skin Reactions
Beetle bites can cause various skin reactions, ranging from mild to severe.
Some people may experience redness, itching, or discomfort at the bite site. In other cases, more severe reactions can occur, such as welts, blisters, or burning sensations.
For example, blister beetles release a toxic substance called cantharidin that causes blister beetle dermatitis.
To summarize:
- Redness and itchiness
- Welts, blisters, or burning sensations
- Blister beetle dermatitis
Allergic Reactions
Some individuals may experience allergic reactions to beetle bites, which can vary in severity.
Mild allergic reactions may include localized swelling, itching, or redness, while more severe reactions could involve difficulty breathing, chest pain, or intense pain at the bite site.
In rare cases, life-threatening anaphylactic reactions can occur.
| Skin Reactions | Allergic Reactions |
|---|---|
| Redness | Swelling |
| Itching | Itching |
| Welts or blisters | Redness |
| Burning sensations | Breathing difficulties |
| Blister dermatitis | Chest pain |
| Anaphylaxis |
It’s important to note that not all beetles bite, and many of them are harmless.
However, it’s still essential to be aware of the potential symptoms and reactions to be better prepared in case of a bite.
Keep in mind that the severity of a reaction can vary depending on the type of beetle and each individual’s sensitivity.
Preventing and Treating Beetle Bites
Preventing Beetle Infestations
To prevent beetles from infesting your home and garden, consider these tips:
- Keep plants healthy: A strong defense system keeps pests at bay.
- Keep it clean: Remove debris, dead leaves, and branches to eliminate hiding spots.
- Use natural predators: Introduce beneficial insects such as ladybugs or parasitic wasps.
- Use traps: Pheromone traps are helpful in controlling pests like Japanese beetles.
For example, to protect your trees from wood-boring beetles, ensure they are properly cared for and avoid injuring the bark.
| Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Healthy plants | Strengthen defense mechanism | Regular maintenance required |
| Cleanliness | Reduces hiding spots | Constant vigilance needed |
| Natural predators | Environmentally friendly | Can introduce new problems |
| Traps | Effective in reducing infestations | May require frequent checks |
Bug Control Recommendation Tool
Treating Beetle Bites
Most beetles do not bite or possess poison. However, if bitten, follow these steps:
- Clean the area: Use soap and water to reduce infection risk.
- Apply ice: To minimize swelling and pain, use an ice pack.
When bitten by a scarab beetle, remember that the pain is not from the mouthparts but from their strong hold with their antennae.
In case of an allergic reaction or signs of infection, consult a doctor as antibiotics might be necessary.
Remember to consult a professional exterminator when infestations are severe, and use caution to protect pets from potential toxic substances.
Conclusion
Beetles, a diverse group of insects, are often misunderstood. While many beetles are harmless, some can bite or cause discomfort when mishandled.
Predatory beetles like rove beetles and soldier beetles might bite if provoked.
However, the majority of beetles are not harmful to humans. For instance, ground-dwelling beetles such as tiger beetles may bite, but their bites are not venomous and usually cause minimal discomfort.
It’s essential to recognize the different beetle species and exercise caution when handling them.
Always remember, not all beetles pose a threat, and many play beneficial roles in our ecosystems.
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13 Comments. Leave new
Eric’s comment came up just as I was posting this (I knew he would have the answer), but I got this far so I will post anyway…I agree that this does not look like one of the normal household beetles. At actually looks kind of like a bark beetle (Curculionidae: Scolytinae); something like Orthotomicus sp. perhaps. It sounds like they may have been trying to get out of the house not in – is it possible they were emerging from some wood that was brought into the house, like firewood? There was mention of a wood stove by the window in question. K
Hi, I came to your site to try and find out what kind of bug I am having a problem with and it looks identical to the beetle in this photo. I live in a townhouse, I do not have a fire place or fire wood anywhere closeby. I don’t even have any trees in my yard and have hundreds of these little beetle things around. Mostly around the kitchen, have seen them in my pets food bowls and in my pantry. They seem to like dark places. Most that I find are right outside of the pantry door and mostly dead. Please help, I can’t seem to get rid of them.
Dear bdudney,
We suspect you have some species of Pantry Beetle or other stored food infesting Beetle. It is generally the larvae that do the damage to the food, and the adults feed on pollen. We believe adult Weevils may eat the same foods as the larval Weevils. Check out our Pantry Beetles Category.
Hi! I could have sworn I’ve visited this blog before but after browsing through a few of the articles I realized it’s
new to me. Regardless, I’m certainly delighted I found it and I’ll be
book-marking it and checking back frequently!
Is it common for the Iron cross beetle to attack!
I was spraying them with bug spray as I must have had some 2-3 hundred in my backyard and was attacked toward my head by 2 of them!
It was like they were on a mission.
Been at this property 3 yrs, first time I’ve ever seen them!
Nowhere can I find that they fly!
Thanks for the info.
Bob
Queen Creek ,AZ
They are showing up in salads too:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/beetle-makes-surprise-appearance-in-ontario-woman-s-organic-salad-1.3090610
Beware of the stinging caterpillar that resembles Donald Trump’s hair !
https://www.thedodo.com/donald-trump-caterpillar-hair-1206147966.html
You mean like the Stinging Asp??? Good call.
Well for Bernie it would have to be one of the parasites such as a louse since he wants to promote the epic failure that history has shown socialism to be, although his wife has discovered that when you do run out of other peoples money as she did at her last employer, take a $200,000 pay out and leave town before the bank forecloses on the school.
For Hillary, a cuckoo wasp, all bright and shiny on the outside but only too happy to kill your offspring and replace them with her own and blame it on a video.
For the Donald, bad hair or not he is very popular with a huge number of people and he has been covering a lot of ground so I’m going to have to go with Wanderer Butterfly.
Thanks for taking the time to ruminate on our proposition Trevor. It is interesting to read an Australian perspective on our current American political circus.
Toe biter is quite pleased he/she was relegated to Donald Trump in spirit
I purchased a cutting board made out of ‘ambrosia wood’ about 3 years ago. A description card from the man who made it said that it was ambrosia wood. He described how the beetles helped make the tiny holes and so forth in the beautiful wood. I put it in a walk-in closet, where I sometimes store gifts. I went back later to get something and noticed powder everywhere on the board! Guess what…I unknowingly brought in ambrosia beetles. I started looking in the closet and noticed that the beetles were everywhere. They had also eaten on other pieces of wood that I had in the closet. I vacuumed the ones up that I saw and also vacuumed eveything in there, piece by piece. Then I put Sevin Dust everywhere and left it for about two week with the door closed. I thought I had taken care of my bug problem. Fast forward two years…a few days ago I opened a bag of wood chargers that I had put in a plastic bag when all this happened. There were no telltale signs at that time that I put the chargers in the plastic bags that they had been infested…I did not see any holes or powder. However…when I opened the bag a few days ago…there was wood powder everywhere! I did not see anyone mention in the above comments that they had wood powder anywhere…just that they saw the beetles. These ambrosia beetles probably only eat certain kinds of wood. My question is how do I get rid of them. The ones I saw in the bag were dead…but, I believe I saw one fly off. I don’t want them to start eating my furniture. Does anyone else have any experience with them?! Thanks in advance!!!
We also have found these IN the house. They seem to be coming from the mulch we purchased, but are not finding hundreds a day inside the house! We have no powder or he’s so I don’t think they are powder post beetles. we have been told that they are shot hole borer beetles, which is another type of Ambrosia beetle. They seem to be coming in through cracks in the window but everytime I wipe them up there seem to be dozens more just an hour later. Has anyone been able to get rid of these?