Beetles aren’t always top of mind for most folks in Louisiana, but they should be. From attic corners in New Orleans to pine trees along the backroads near Baton Rouge, beetle infestations are a real concern for homeowners and landowners alike.
Whether you’re seeing adult beetles near your baseboards or larvae in your carpet, understanding the beetle species you’re dealing with can help you protect your home, your trees, and even your wardrobe.
If you’re dealing with beetles and don’t know what steps to take, this article will give you a local’s guide to beetle identification and control.
Key Takeaways
• Beetles are a regular problem in Louisiana homes and yards, especially during warm months and after heavy rains.
• Carpet, ground, rove, bark, pine, and scarab beetles all behave differently and cause different types of damage.
• Good beetle control begins with identifying the bug, finding where it breeds, and choosing the right treatment.
• Keeping beetles away means sealing cracks, removing clutter, protecting trees, and asking local experts when you need help.
Common Types of Beetles in Louisiana
If you’ve spotted beetles in or around your home and aren’t sure what you’re up against, you’re not alone. Let’s walk through some of the most common ones you might come across around here.
Carpet Beetles
Carpet beetles are tiny but persistent. Often mistaken for lady beetles at first glance, they’re usually oval-shaped and may look like little specks of lint.
Their bodies are often mottled with black, white, and brown patches. They cause damage during their larval stage, chewing through natural fibers like wool, silk, and leather.
If you’ve pulled a shirt from the back of your closet and found holes that weren’t there before, an infestation might be to blame.
Ground Beetles
While not usually a threat indoors, ground beetles are common in Louisiana yards, especially during the humid months. These beetles are quick on their feet and love to hang around moist, shady areas.
They’re helpful in gardens since they eat caterpillars and other small insects, but after heavy rains, something Baton Rouge residents are all too familiar with, they often find their way into garages and crawlspaces.
Rove Beetles
Known for their unusual appearance, rove beetles have short wing covers and long, flexible abdomens that they often curl upwards. They’re commonly found near decaying matter, especially in compost piles or damp mulch beds.
While they aren’t harmful to humans, some species can release a defensive secretion that causes skin irritation.
If you’re turning your compost and notice a long, skinny beetle that resembles an earwig, it’s probably a rove beetle.
Bark Beetles
Bark beetles are a nightmare for landowners managing wooded areas.
These beetles are small but capable of devastating entire stands of pine trees. They bore through the outer bark and disrupt the flow of nutrients and water.
Storm-damaged trees are easy targets, especially after hurricanes or droughts common in South Louisiana. Experts from the USDA and LSU AgCenter say these outbreaks can quickly spread and threaten healthy pine forests across the state.
Pine Beetles
Closely related to bark beetles, pine beetles specifically target pine trees. They attack weakened or stressed trees, often forming mass infestations. Once inside, they lay eggs, and the larvae feed under the bark, ultimately killing the tree.
Louisiana state officials and forestry experts recommend monitoring pine stands regularly, especially if you’ve noticed browning needles or small holes in the bark.
Scarab Beetles
Scarab beetles include a wide range of species, from helpful dung beetles to destructive weevils and Japanese beetles. In Louisiana, June bugs and May beetles are among the most recognized types.
While adult beetles typically feed on leaves, the larvae (grubs) damage lawns by feeding on grass roots. They are especially active at night and are drawn to outdoor lights, which makes them a nuisance during backyard gatherings.
Steps to Beetle Control in Louisiana Homes
If you’ve seen beetles around your home, or worse, signs they’re laying eggs somewhere, you need more than just a quick fix.
Here’s what that process looks like when you’re working with someone who knows what they’re doing here in South Louisiana:
Inspection and Identification
You can’t fix what you can’t see. Identifying beetles starts with recognizing where they are in their life cycle.
Are you spotting adult beetles along window sills or larvae tucked behind baseboards? Each clue helps your local pest control expert create a treatment plan that works.
If you’re unsure, consulting with a Louisiana-based pest control service company can provide some clarity.
Pinpointing Breeding Sites
For homeowners, the trick is to locate where beetles are laying eggs. Carpet beetles often lay eggs in undisturbed corners or pet hair.
For landowners, it’s more about scanning tree bark and watching for sawdust or holes, a sign that wood-boring beetles or borers like the ash borer have moved in.
In some cases, you might even find evidence near firewood or old furniture brought in from outside.
Customized Treatment Methods
At LaJaunie’s Pest Control, we handle beetles depending on the species and setting.
For indoor beetle infestations, like carpet beetles or those hiding in attics, we apply targeted treatments that are safe for fabrics and non-disruptive to daily life.
For outdoor or structural issues like borer beetles or wood-infesting species, we may recommend a specialized treatment that includes both spot application and environmental adjustment.
Preventative Maintenance
Once beetles are under control, keeping them away takes a little diligence.
Regularly cleaning out attics, inspecting vents, sealing cracks, and keeping pet areas clean can go a long way. For rural properties or homes near wooded areas, maintaining healthy trees and clearing dead wood helps deter bark and pine beetle outbreaks.
If you’re ready to stop a beetle infestation before it gets worse, or just want peace of mind from a trusted local team, reach out today.
We offer same-day service, and we don’t just treat pests.
We treat your home with care.
