Beetle Control
Beetle Control in Southeast Michigan
Beetles are the largest group of insects in the world, and several species cause real problems in Michigan homes and businesses. Some damage food, some damage fabrics, and some damage wood. Others just wander in from outside.
Treatment only works when it targets the right species and the right source. That's why every beetle job starts with a careful inspection.
- Species identified on site by your technician
- Source located, not just the beetles you can see
- Clear next steps so you know what to do after we leave
Identification
Which Beetle Do You Have?
Where you find them is usually the best clue. Here are the four groups we see most in Southeast Michigan.
Pantry Beetles
Drugstore beetles, cigarette beetles, sawtoothed grain beetles, and flour beetles. They live and breed inside dry food.
- Size: About 2-4mm, reddish-brown
- Found: Kitchen, pantry, cabinets, near windows
- Eats: Flour, cereal, spices, pet food
Carpet Beetles
Black and varied carpet beetles. The hairy larvae do the damage, chewing irregular holes in natural fibers.
- Size: About 2-4mm, round, mottled or black
- Found: Rugs, closets, baseboards, under furniture
- Eats: Wool, silk, leather, feathers, pet hair
Powderpost Beetles
Larvae tunnel through dry hardwood for months or years. Adults exit through tiny round holes, leaving flour-like powder below.
- Size: About 3-6mm, slender, reddish-brown
- Found: Hardwood floors, beams, antiques, trim
- Sign: Pinholes with fine powder piles
Ground & Lady Beetles
Ground beetles, click beetles, June beetles, and Asian lady beetles. Outdoor insects that come inside through gaps, often drawn by light.
- Size: 5-25mm depending on species
- Found: Windows, doors, basements, sunny walls
- Risk: Don't breed indoors, mostly a nuisance
Warning Signs
Signs You Have a Beetle Problem
Finding one beetle isn't always a problem. These signs usually mean there's an active source in your home.
Tiny holes in food packages
Small round holes in boxes, bags, or seasoning packets. Beetles chew in and out of packaging, and fine dust often collects below.
Beetles on windowsills or counters
Repeated sightings in the kitchen, near windows, or along baseboards point to a nearby source. Dead beetles on sills are a common first clue.
Holes or bald spots in fabric
Irregular damage in wool rugs, sweaters, or upholstery, often with shed larval skins nearby. Check closets and under furniture.
Pinholes and powder in wood
Tiny round exit holes with fine, flour-like dust below. A sign of powderpost beetles in floors, furniture, or beams that should be inspected.
Pantry Pests
Found Beetles in Your Pantry? Here's What to Do
Pantry beetles almost always come from an infested food or dried product already in your home. Treatment works best when the infested items are found and removed. Follow these four steps.
Inspect
Check every dry good, opened or unopened. Look for live beetles, larvae, webbing, or tiny holes in packaging.
Throw Out
Seal infested items in a bag and take them to the outside trash right away. If you're not sure about an item, throw it out.
Vacuum
Vacuum shelves, drawers, corners, and cracks. Empty the vacuum outside afterward. Don't wipe down treated cracks and crevices.
Seal & Store
Store dry goods in glass, metal, or hard plastic containers with tight lids. Paper, cardboard, and thin bags won't stop beetles.
Items to check
What to expect
Our Process
How We Treat Beetles
Every beetle job follows the same three steps, adjusted for the species we find.
1. Identify
Your technician confirms the species. Pantry, carpet, and wood-boring beetles each need a different approach.
2. Find the Source
We inspect for conducive conditions, entry points, and the source of the activity, whether that's food, fabric, or wood.
3. Treat
Targeted treatment in cracks, crevices, and harborage areas where beetles live and feed, with dust applied as needed.
Prevention
Do's and Don'ts
Simple habits that keep beetles from coming back.
✓Do
- Store food in sealed glass, metal, or hard plastic containers
- Rotate dry goods and use older items first
- Vacuum rugs, closets, and under furniture regularly
- Clean wool and stored clothing before putting it away
- Seal gaps around doors, windows, and screens
✕Don't
- Keep opened food in its original paper or cardboard box
- Only spray without finding and removing the source
- Wipe down cracks and crevices right after treatment
- Leave pet food or birdseed open in the garage or basement
- Ignore small holes and powder in wood furniture or floors
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Other Pests We Treat
Covered Under Our Service Plans
Beetles are covered under our service plans, which protect against over 20 pest types with no contract and unlimited free re-services between visits.
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