Ground Beetle Identification & Prevention

Ground beetles make up the largest group of beetles. As their descriptive name suggests, they live on or in the ground. They are a predatory species of insect and beneficial because they prey on and control nuisance insects.

Ground beetles have an elongated, flattened body with vertical ridges on their wings, and their head is the most narrow part of their body. They have wings with shell-like wing covers and longitudinal grooves on them. Despite not being able to fly, they can move very quickly using their six legs. Most species are black with some metallic, red, or gold markings. 

Ground beetles are nuisance pests. They pose no direct danger to people nor spread pathogens, and they don’t bite or sting. Ground beetles do, however, invade yards and homes in large numbers and are difficult to control and eradicate. 

Active at night, ground beetles are often drawn to the exterior of homes by outdoor lighting. Once they’re crawling around your house, they will move inside through spaces under doors or cracks in the foundation.

These insects are mainly outdoor pests and live in damp, dark soil under woodpiles, piles of leaves, fallen trees, logs, and rocks. The soil they live in is often near homes and other structures. They'll move indoors while searching for prey or to escape weather that becomes too hot and dry or during periods of heavy rains. Inside, they hide in basements, crawl spaces, cardboard boxes, and piles of clutter.

Acquiring help from a professional pest control expert is the best way to eliminate ground beetles and keep them from returning. At Albemarle Termite & Pest Control, our technicians are highly trained and dedicated to providing safe and effective pest control services in Elizabeth City that are affordable. We are a local, family-owned pest control company whose number one priority is putting our customers first and exceeding expectations.

For home or business owners looking to eliminate pests from their property once and for all, call Albemarle Termite & Pest Control today!

To help protect your North Carolina property from ground beetles, consider putting into place the following prevention measures.

• Leave a stone or crushed rock barrier between any soil or mulch and your home’s foundation.
• Seal up cracks and other openings in the foundation and exterior walls.
• Place weatherstripping around windows and doors.
• Place door sweeps on exterior doors.
• Reduce moisture levels by using dehumidifiers and fixing leaky pipes.
• Keep clutter to a minimum in basement areas.