How To Keep Ground Beetles Off Your Oklahoma City Property

beetle outside on the ground
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With over 40,000 types of ground beetles found across the globe, it’s no wonder that you’re likely to find at least several kinds in or around your Oklahoma City property at one point or another. Ground beetles are often referred to as "pest control," because they gobble up other insects that might be lurking around your yard and property. These small pests, which measure no more than 1/16 of an inch in size are responsible for enjoying common pests like moth and beetle larvae, mites, and snails for a snack. Ground beetles also tend to eat weeds and the like around your property, but don’t be fooled. Just because they appear to be helping doesn’t mean that you want them around. A few helpful beetles can quickly turn into a total infestation if you allow it to. 

Why Beetles Invade Your Home

Though ground beetles prefer to remain outdoors, if the draw is enticing enough, and sometimes pests found in a house are, they will make their way through tiny cracks and crevices around your home and then move in. Oklahoma City residents will notice an uptick in the beetles’ presence inside the home toward mid to late summer when they run to foundations and begin to invade homes. While outside, here are some of the places that you might expect to encounter ground beetles:

  • Amongst piles of leaves
  • Underneath woodpiles
  • Scattered throughout lawn debris
  • In gardens
  • Hiding under rocks

All of these locations offer beetles not only protection from other predators but also ample access to their own prey while allowing them to work in a furtive nature and out of sight of humans. 

Beetle Prevention Tips

Though they prefer to live and hunt outside for most of the year, sometimes beetles will make their way indoors, and having them clacking around your home is something to be avoided. Here are a few ways you can address an interior issue with beetles:

  • Seal up any cracks and crevices around the home. Beetles are nimble and can slide through nearly any opening you might have around your home’s foundation, as can the pests that they’re chasing as prey. Ensure that your home is sealed tight by replacing any worn weather stripping, torn window screens, and sealing up any other cracks that may be creating vulnerability to your property.
  • Watch your wood piles. Be sure to store wood piles at least 20 feet away from your home and five inches off the ground. This is a common home for ground beetles and other pests, and if stored too close to your home, it’s just a hop, skip, and a jump indoors.
  • Clear yard debris regularly. Beetles themselves enjoy a good pile of yard debris to rummage through, but so do the pests they’re hunting.
  • Disposing of branches, lawn trimmings, and leaves regularly will help avoid a growing population.
  • Keep your house tidy. If you dust and vacuum your home regularly, you will notice any accumulations of beetles and other pests that may be causing an infestation to grow.

For more advice or assistance on keeping beetles off your property, contact the professionals at Guaranteed Pest Service of Oklahoma today. We also offer commercial pest control for Oklahoma City area businesses. 

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