Dangerous Cockroach Or Harmless Beetle?

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cockroach laying on green leaf

Have you ever seen an insect scurrying across your floor and wonder just exactly what it was? At first glance, you think may it’s a centipede or a silverfish? Some insects can move in the same ways leaving you to wonder what pest you are dealing with. Nuisance pests are not considered a threat to your family, but if you mistake a nuisance pest with a harmful pest it could become a danger to your friends and family, which would certainly be a problem. One common mistake is when you see an insect that looks like a cockroach but it’s actually a beetle or vice-versa. So why are ground beetles so commonly mistaken for cockroaches?

Ground beetles are small, around 1/8 of an inch to 1 inch in length, they move quickly, and have a shelled segmented body with antennae similar to that of a cockroach. Their main habitat is outdoors where they are commonly found under stumps, trees, piles of leaves, and stones. The reason they are making their way indoors is because they are drawn to light. If you have a light that stays on by your porch or front door this could be what is drawing them inside. There are a couple of things you can do to help prevent ground beetles from entering your home. Purchasing a less attractive light bulb such as a halogen bulb or a yellow insect bulb will help keep insects away from your doors. Also, make sure your floors are regularly vacuumed and areas such as windows and doors are properly sealed.

Cockroaches are a whole other ballgame. Cockroaches are a serious threat to you, your family, and your friends. Cockroaches have small fiber-like hooks on their feet that pick up any substance they touch and make it so that every step they take leaves traces of that substance. Cockroaches are known to be found in less than desirable places, and from those places, they then go searching for food which means a serious risk of cross-contamination. If a cockroach was just near a bathroom drain and they make their way into your kitchen searching for food, they will bring all of those germs they just walked through with them. This can become dangerous and make your family sick. Cockroaches are a bit bigger than ground beetles, but they vary in size. One of the common reasons cockroaches are mistaken for ground beetles is their color is similar and can be easily mistaken since they move so quickly.

Ground beetles are harmless, and cockroaches can be a huge issue. How do you know when to take action? Since ground beetles are often mistaken for cockroaches, there is no harm in investigating. If you suspect at all that your home has a cockroach infestation, never hesitate to call the professional here at Witt Pest Management. This is truly an area where you should err on the side of caution because your family’s health is at stake. We understand the frustration of having pests in your home, so our experts respond with sympathy and courtesy. Witt Pest Management will always make sure that our customer’s needs come first. With our knowledgeable and experienced staff, you can know that your inspection will be accurate and complete leaving you with no doubt about the pest that is causing you alarm. Then, we can solve any issue with pests in your home with one of our TopCare programs that will protect your home from pests year-round. It really is the smart way to be pest-free. Contact us today to set up an inspection and let us take the guesswork out of your “Is it a roach or a beetle” dilemma.

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