What are beetles?
Beetles are a diverse group of insects that live worldwide, and while most live outside, well away from people, a handful of species have become common household pests.
Beetles belong to the order Coleoptera, which means "sheathed wing." Beetles are insects with a first pair of wings with a hard protective sheath covering their delicate hind (flight) wings. At rest, their protective wings meet in the middle of their body, forming a distinct line down their backs.
Beetles are helpful insects that break down waste matter, dead or decaying animals, leaf litter, and other organic debris. They also aerate the soil in garden areas and feed on and control problematic garden pests.
However, like any insect, beetles moving from their outdoor environments into our homes become unwanted pests. Luckily, General Environmental Services offers local home and commercial pest control you can count on to help you maintain a home that is free of beetles and other household pests.
Are beetles dangerous?
The biggest issue with beetles is their ability to invade, contaminate, and damage things stored within our homes. Beetle larvae typically cause the most damage. Adult females lay their eggs on a suitable food source. When the larvae hatch, they immediately begin to feed. Beetles are destructive pests and, by using their chewing mouthparts, will cause damage to:
- Stored pantry items
- Rugs
- Upholstered furniture
- Clothing
- Bedding and linens
- Books
- Wood and wood structures
Adult beetles also leave behind droppings on surfaces that cause unsightly staining.
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Why do I have a beetle problem?
Adult beetles in Boston often find their way into our homes through cracks and gaps they come across as they travel over the exterior of your home. Lights around windows and doors attract beetles, and they can also get inside through damaged weather stripping or torn screens.
Beetle infestations also begin when adults, eggs, or larvae hitchhike inside our homes. Beetles can move indoors through infested wood or wooden furniture, rugs, blankets, clothing, upholstered furniture, and dry goods like cereal, flour, and other grains.
Where will I find beetles?
Beetles live outside near our homes in damp areas with lots of cover, like gardens and flowerbeds. They also like to gather under things like wood piles, trash cans, and potted plants. Many types of beetles wind up in our houses while searching for a safe, dry place to lay their eggs. In addition to our homes, beetles get inside and thrive in other structures that provide food and breeding sites like restaurants, pet stores, grocery stores, museums, and storage facilities.
Finding adult beetles crawling over a home’s surfaces or around windows or light fixtures usually alerts people to a problem with these pests. The small size of their eggs and larvae makes them easy to overlook. In addition to spotting adults, other signs of a potential beetle problem include finding small holes in upholstery or fabrics, books, and food packaging.
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At General Environmental Services, your satisfaction is our priority! See for yourself what our customers have to say about working with us.
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“We've used GES for more than a decade, and they've always gone above and beyond! They're an A+, locally owned company that takes care of its customers.”- John T.
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“Jim, our technician from General Environmental Services, Inc. is and has been our technician for the past three years. He is always on time and follows up with any concerns we have between visits. GES is lucky to have him as a member of their team.”- Fran G.
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“As always, the technician, Peter, arrived promptly as scheduled, and took care of the situation with a professional and pleasant approach. Thank you!”- David M.
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“I’ve used General Environmental for many years and they have never fallen short of providing excellent service and results.”- Edward H.
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“GES has been very accommodating since we signed on with them a year ago. James Conley, our technician, is outstanding!”- Susan C.
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“I always appreciate the great response from GES. All team members are professional, from the customer service on the phone to the actual specialists in the field. Great job. Thank you!”- Jane D.
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“I have been their client for 40+ years for a reason!”- Sheb S.
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“Stanley is amazing! Best pest tech I’ve ever had at my work - couldn’t ask for a better technician!”- James W.
