Ground Beetle

• Adult ground beetles, referred to as "Carabids," are 1/16 to 1-3/8 inches (12 to 35 mm) long, somewhat flattened, sometimes elongate, with threadlike antennae (11-segmented), narrow head (projects forward), and hard wing covers meeting in a straight line at the center of the back with numerous fine, parallel ridges running lengthwise.
• These active insects, with long legs, large eyes and strong sickle-like mandibles, run rapidly, and are active mostly at night (nocturnal).
• Ground beetles are usually black though many are brilliantly colored or enhanced by iridescent, metallic blue, green, purple, reddish or other bright markings. Many species are difficult to distinguish.

• There are about 2,500 known species of ground beetles in North America.
• These active insects are usually found on the ground under rocks, logs, leaves, bark, decomposing wood and other debris on the ground.
• Adults may live 2 to 3 years or longer. Some adults are attracted to lights and will feed on the crushed remains of their own kind that have been stepped on or run over.
• Many ground beetles exude or expel foul-smelling secretions that are used to repel their enemies.
• Remove objects where beetles can hide such as leaf piles, old boards, rotting logs, stone piles, firewood piles, etc. around house entrances. Caulk and screen potential entry ways into the home. Since many beetles are attracted to lights, subdue the lighting around windows and doors by using less attractive (to beetles) yellow or sodium vapor light bulbs. Avoid excessive lighting directly upon the house during the spring when beetles are abundant. Indoor lights should not shine directly out of door or window openings. Colored walls that do not reflect light are preferable to glossy white. Small numbers of live beetles found indoors can be easily collected by broom and dustpan and relocated outside far from the house since these predators are helpful in agriculture. Collect dead and dying beetles with a vacuum cleaner and proper attachments. Take extra care to preserve these valuable predators.