Beetle Removal Edmonton

All About Beetles In Edmonton

Below is our table of content on beetles, what they do, what to do with them, and the how and why Major Pest Control does beetle removal Edmonton right.

Why Do I Have Beetles In Edmonton?

Beetles are found in nearly every habitat on Earth and exhibit many different lifestyles. Many live in association with plants, while others burrow and live in underground tunnels or trees, and still others are semi- to fully aquatic.

Of the more than 9,000 beetle species found in Canada, two of the most notorious, troubling species are the Asian lady beetle and the Carpet beetle. Some other common nuisance beetle species in Canada include

Drugstore beetles
Flour beetles
Fungus beetles
Grain beetles
Ground beetles
Old house borer beetles
Plaster beetles and
Wood-infesting beetles.

If you think you have an infestation of any of these, give Major Pest Control Edmonton a call. So, we can take care of it for you!

What Attracts Beetles To Your Edmonton Home?

Beetles are one of the largest groups of animals on earth, with more than 400,000 known species as of today. Some beetle species are helpful to humans, such as ladybugs that feed on crop pest insects. Other species are problematic, such as those in the carpet beetle family that feed on clothing and items made from fur, leather, wool, or silk, and whose activities are often mistaken for moth damage.

Types Of Beetles Around Edmonton

The scientific name for the Asian lady beetle is Harmonia axyridis. It grows to about 8 mm long. Its colour can be orange, red, or yellow. The number of black spots varies from beetle to beetle. You can recognize it by the clear M-shaped mark on the thorax behind the head.

An infestation shows up as big clusters of these beetles, sometimes in huge numbers. You may also see piles of dead beetles near windows and inside light fixtures. They can bite, and it can hurt, but they do not break the skin. They also do not spread disease.

Carpet beetles go by the scientific name Anthrenus verbasci. These tiny insects measure just 2 to 5 millimetres long. Their dark brown to black bodies have an oval shape. You’ll notice their short, club-like antennae and chewing mouth parts. Different types display colourful scales in white, yellow, orange, red, or brown patterns.

You might first spot these pests as adult beetles gather on your windowsills. But the real trouble comes from their young. Carpet beetle larvae cause the most damage when they feast on your carpets, clothing, and other fabrics.

Here’s how to tell carpet beetle damage from moth damage: Moths create many small holes scattered across fabric. Carpet beetle larvae eat away at one large section instead.

Watch for shed skins, too. The larvae leave these behind when they grow. These cast-off skins can trigger skin reactions and allergies in some people.

The drugstore beetle carries the scientific name Stegobium paniceum. This tiny brown insect grows to around 3.5 millimetres long. People call it by several names—the bread beetle, biscuit beetle, or sometimes the biscuit weevil, though that last name is misleading since it isn’t actually a weevil at all.

You’ll find these beetles among the most widespread non-weevil pests. They invade all sorts of dried plant products and show up practically everywhere on Earth, though they prefer warmer regions.

The drugstore beetle looks quite similar to the cigarette beetle, just a touch larger. What sets them apart are their antennae, which end in clubs made of three segments. Look closely at their wing covers and you’ll spot lengthwise grooves running across them.

Flour beetles are small insects in the Tribolium or Tenebrio groups. They often live in cereal grains. Farmers see them as pests because they damage stored grain. People also use them in science labs because they are simple to keep and study.

Flour beetles eat wheat and other grains. They can live in very dry places and are tough to kill with bug sprays.

The most common type in Canada is the North American flour beetle, called Aphanotus brevicornis.

Pleasing Fungus Beetles belong to the Erotylidae family and are known for their varied diets, feeding on both plant and fungal material. These beetles display various shades of brown coloring – from light brown to reddish brown or dark brown tones.

They measure quite small, typically between 2 and 4 millimeters in length. Their bodies have a distinctive oval, flattened appearance with delicate hairs covering their wing covers.

People know these insects by several different names. You might hear them called Silken fungus beetles, Hair fungus beetles, or Spotted hairy fungus beetles, depending on the specific variety and region.

The scientific name for the merchant grain beetle is Oryzaephilus Mercator. It is a small, flattened beetle about 2.5mm in length. It is a common, worldwide pest of grain and grain products, as well as fruit, chocolate, drugs, and tobacco. In the home, products susceptible to infection should be kept in sealed containers to exclude these beetles.

Freezing infested foodstuffs at -18 °C for six days will kill all stages of the O. mercator life cycle. Infestations always center around a food source used for breeding, and the identification and removal of all infested foodstuffs will eliminate the population.

Ground beetles belong to the Carabidae family, one of nature’s largest beetle groups with over 40,000 species worldwide. North America hosts around 2,000 of these diverse insects.

Most are hunters, feeding on other insects and small creatures. Some have adapted to eat plants, while others enjoy mixed diets.

These beetles typically appear shiny black or metallic with ridged wing covers. Their remarkable ability to thrive in nearly every environment makes them one of the most successful beetle families on Earth.

The Hylotrupes, commonly called the Old House Borer Beetle, represents a single-species genus within the Cerambycidae family of longhorn beetles.

Originally from Europe, this wood-boring beetle has spread globally through the timber trade. Today, it’s found across Southern Africa, Asia, America, Australia, Europe, and the Mediterranean region.

These beetles measure 8-20 mm in length with brown to black bodies. They appear grey due to fine grey hairs covering most of their upper surface.

Latridiidae (sometimes spelled “Lathridiidae“) is a family of tiny, little-known beetles commonly called plaster beetles or minute brown scavenger beetles. Adult beetles in this family are some shade of brown and between 1.2 and 2 mm in length.

They may be present in ripening cereal crops, but will not persist in clean, dry stored grain. However, damp grain or grain heavily contaminated by other insects will support them.

Wood-infesting beetles are a diverse group of species whose larvae or adults feed on and damage wood. In woodworking, these larval stages are commonly called woodworms.

Main Types of Wood-Infesting Beetles:

Ambrosia beetles
Long-horned beetles
Wharf borers
Metallic wood borers
True powderpost beetles
False powderpost beetles
Deathwatch beetles

These beetles cause significant damage to wooden structures, furniture, and timber products across various industries.

F.A.Q.s about Beetle Removal Edmonton

Why do I have Asian lady beetles?

Asian lady beetles were introduced to the United States as a form of biological pest control, but are now a nuisance in Canada.

Asian lady beetles adapt to rural and urban environments and live for more than a year. In the winter, they seek out the warmth that homes provide and invade through tiny cracks and crevices.

How worried should I be about Asian lady beetles?

Asian lady beetles can be beneficial in the garden and fields, feeding on insects that damage crops and ornamental plants. However, they are a nuisance in the home.

They can deliver a painful bite that is not dangerous and does not break the skin. Additionally, Asian lady beetles secrete a yellow liquid with a distinctly unpleasant odour that stains surfaces. Dead Asian lady beetles often collect in piles on windowsills and light fixtures.

Why do I have carpet beetles?

Carpet beetles are often inadvertently introduced into homes by being carried in on plants or flowers. Once inside, they lay their eggs in carpets, furs, wool, leather, bird nests, and spider webs.

After hatching, the larvae travel to dark, dry, undisturbed places such as air ducts, lint balls, or stored grains, spices, or pet food. These locations provide both shelter and food to the developing larvae until they develop into their adult form. Depending on the species, this transition can take from weeks to years.

How worried should I be about carpet beetles?

Carpet beetle larvae can damage carpets and fabrics by eating irregular holes into them, and wool, silk, feathers, and leather by consuming entire chunks. Their bristly hairs may cause skin irritation.

Additionally, the moulted skins of larvae can cause allergic reactions and dermatitis in susceptible individuals. Eradication of a carpet beetle infestation is best achieved by employing the services of a trusted and reputable professional pest control company like Major Pest Control.

Why do I have beetles in my Edmonton home?

Beetles enter Edmonton homes for several reasons related to our local climate and environment.
Winter Shelter – Edmonton’s harsh winters drive beetles indoors seeking warmth and protection from freezing temperatures.
Moisture Issues – Damp basements, leaky pipes, or poor ventilation create ideal conditions for moisture-loving beetle species.
Food Sources – Stored grains, pet food, crumbs, or organic debris provide easy meals that attract various beetles.
Prairie Location – Edmonton’s grassland setting naturally hosts ground beetles and other prairie species that may wander into homes.
Temperature Extremes – Our city’s dramatic seasonal changes push beetles to find stable indoor environments.
Wood Structures – Older homes or untreated lumber can attract wood-boring beetles looking for places to lay eggs.
Urban Development – Construction and landscaping disturb natural beetle habitats, forcing them toward residential areas.
Most beetle problems occur during fall months when they actively seek winter shelter, making prevention efforts most important during September and October.

How worried should I be about beetles?

In some settings, beetles may be beneficial by consuming pests in the garden, such as aphids. Many other species, however, can be highly destructive to your home and belongings.

Adult beetles and their larvae can wreak havoc on furniture, carpets, décor, packaged goods, and clothing, and deposit unpleasant evidence of their infestation. They may leave behind dusty excrement or brittle, skeletonized shells, as well as larvae that leave behind brown, shell-like cast skins when moulting.

How can I prevent beetles from invading?

The preventive measures taken to prevent beetle infestations depend on the species. In some cases, using products like varnish in finished wood products can prevent infestations by wood-boring insects. In other cases, such as with beetles feeding on interior items, prevention may be more difficult due to the ease with which they can acquire food from obscure places.

An example is carpet beetles, which are the most successful strategies for proper sanitation and exclusion. Also, carefully inspect foodstuffs when purchasing them for evidence of beetles that feed on crops and grains. Store foodstuffs in sturdy, airtight containers and maintain a high degree of sanitation in areas where food is stored.

Contact Major Pest Control

Pest Control is something people always dread because they think it costs an arm and a leg when, in reality, it isn’t bad at all!

Our experts on-site will give you a detailed inspection and quote. Beetle removal in Edmonton usually costs around $300 – $1,000, depending on the severity and size of the nest.

Major Pest Control Edmonton is one of the leading pest control & extermination companies in Alberta, providing professional pest solutions 24/7. Our service is fast, safe, effective, affordable, and environmentally friendly. We’re a top-rated Edmonton exterminator and offer a 100% money-back guarantee on our pest control services.