Beetles might not be the first pest that comes to mind, but they can be persistent, damaging, and hard to get rid of without professional help. Middle Tennessee is home to many species, including pantry pests like the cigarette beetle, wood-destroying powder post beetles, and outdoor invaders like ground beetles and Asian lady beetles.

Active Seasons
Most beetle species in this region become active in spring and summer, with some staying active into the fall. Indoors, they may be active year-round if they find warmth and food sources.

Lifespan
Lifespan varies widely by species:

• Pantry beetles: 1 to 2 months
• Powderpost beetles: Several months to over a year, depending on environment
• Lady beetles and ground beetles: Up to a year

Reproduction Rate
Beetles are prolific breeders. Some can lay dozens to hundreds of eggs in hidden areas like wood cracks, food containers, or wall voids. Infestations can build up before homeowners even realize they have a problem.

How to Identify

• Powder post beetles: Small (1/8″), reddish-brown, leave fine “powdery” sawdust and tiny pinholes in wood.
• Pantry beetles (e.g., cigarette or drugstore beetles): Tiny (1/10”), reddish-brown, often found in dry goods like flour, cereal, or spices.
• Ground beetles: Black, shiny, and fast-moving. Usually seen crawling along baseboards or inside garages.
• Asian lady beetles: Often confused with ladybugs, these are more orange, may have varying spot patterns, and tend to invade homes in large numbers in fall.

Health Concerns

• Pantry beetles can contaminate food, making it unsafe to eat.
• Asian lady beetles can cause mild allergic reactions in some people and secrete a smelly yellowish fluid when crushed.
• Some beetles can bite, though it’s rare and usually harmless.

Property Concerns

• Powder post beetles are particularly destructive to wood and can rival termites in long-term damage.
• Pantry beetles can infest entire pantries, forcing disposal of contaminated goods.
• Large indoor beetle populations can signal other structural issues, like moisture problems or unsealed entry points.

Why You Need Perimeter Pest
Beetles are sneaky — they often go unnoticed until the damage is done. At Perimeter Pest, we don’t just treat visible beetles — we locate their hiding places, stop breeding cycles, and seal your home against future infestations.
Whether they’re chewing through your wood, hiding in your cereal, or crawling across your baseboards, we’ll handle it.

Don’t let beetles take over your home — trust Perimeter Pest, your local Nashville pest experts, to shut them down for good.