In 1938, dictator Adolf Hitler commissioned a car from Ferdinand Porsche that everyone could own and drive. Porsche created a small, compact-type car that was easy to purchase, and Hitler called it the people’s car, or Volkswagen. The first model was called the Volkswagen Beetle. The car got its name because it looked like a ground beetle, but unlike its namesake, it wasn’t able to fly, crawl up walls or spurt noxious gas out of its rear bumper. Which, looking back over history, is a real shame. We could have done so much with wall climbing, face melting vehicles. On second though, perhaps it’s better we left those elements to the miniscule bugs that brought the beetle its name.
Ground beetles come in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes (like ice cream!) with different characteristics, like flying, fused shells and combed legs (… not like ice cream.). Here is what a traditional ground beetle looks like:
Most ground beetles have three body segments. A small head with large eyes on either side and antennae, a mid body part and the abdomen with ridged wing covers. Some beetles have fused wing covers, which means they cannot fly. What they lack in flying skills, they make up for in running … or skittering, actually. For their proportions, some ground beetles are some of the fastest animals on Earth. That’s like having a bunch of miniature cheetahs in your home – they’re even carnivores!
Typically, ground beetles are found in bark or under rocks. They can get inside of houses and cause issues for homeowners, however.
WHAT MAKES A GROUND BEETLE A PEST?
Although ground beetles seem like they would be something to not worry about if they began to take up residence inside of your home, they shouldn’t be taken lightly. A majority of ground beetles can actually release a noxious gas from the bottom of their abdomen. This is used to fight off predators, and many species can kill small mammals like mice or rats with their poisonous release. Although humans have never died from this poison (most likely because humans aren’t trying to eat beetles for dinner.) beetles can get into pantries and fridges and ruin food with the chemicals they store within their abdomens. I don’t know about you, but here at Landmark Home Warranty, we’re not really interested in eating cookies infused with beetle juice (try saying that three times fast. Wait, no don’t!). Besides ruining perfectly good food with nasty behind sprays, beetles also eat different types of fruits and vegetables, which also makes them unfit for humans to eat. The food. Not the beetles. Although beetles are also unfit for humans to eat.
HOW DO I GET RID OF BEATLES?
You don’t. The Beatles will never go away.
HOW DO I GET RID OF BEETLES?
If you have an infestation of beetles, as long as they aren’t the singing kind that wants to hold your hand, they can usually be removed from your home by pest control treatment. Luckily for you, if you have an Arizona home warranty, a Nevada home warranty or a Texas home warranty, you have access to a discounted pest control treatment rate. If you have the best home warranty company (Landmark Home Warranty, that is) you can get rid of your infestation of ground beetles by calling Landmark, and paying a flat rate fee of $60. That way you can enjoy the Beatles on your radio, and not in your home.
If you are interested in getting more information about home warranties and how they can save you money on home repairs and replacements, go to Landmark Home Warranty's website www.Landmarkhw.com. At Landmark's website you can read about how we have the best home warranty with our home warranty coverage and home warranty reviews. Stop by and check it out!