Have you noticed those shiny black beetles scurrying across your floor lately? Don’t worry; those creepy crawlies invading your home are probably just carpet beetles.
While harmless to humans, these pesky beetles can damage fabrics, clothes, and carpets [1]. However, there may also be other black beetles lurking around your home and garden that you need to get rid of.
Black Beetles You May Spot Inside and Outside
These are common black beetles that may pose some problems in your house and/or garden:
- Black flour beetles
- Black carpet beetles
- Wood-boring beetles
- Cedar beetle
- Darkling beetles
- Flea beetles
- Black blister beetle
- Southwestern-eyed click beetle
- African black beetles
- Black vine weevils
- Black stink beetles
- Sugarcane beetle
How to Get Rid of Black Beetles Naturally
The key to getting rid of black beetles is first identifying the specific type you have, then taking action. These are some home remedies and natural methods to help control the bad ones.
1. Peppermint Oil
This oil naturally repels beetles and other insects. The strong scent overwhelms their senses and acts as a deterrent.
To make a simple spray for black beetles, combine 10 to 15 drops of peppermint oil with 8 ounces of water in a spray bottle. Spray it around entry points to your home.
The refreshing aroma is pleasant to humans but unpleasant to beetles and other bugs.
2. Cinnamon Sticks
Cinnamon sticks also repel beetles and bugs. Therefore, place a few cinnamon sticks in garage corners and other areas where you see the beetles crawling.
The strong scent will deter them and drive them away. Replace the sticks every few months as the potency fades.
You can also use this ingredient to make a homemade black beetle repellent spray for your plants. Just steep one teaspoon of cinnamon powder in four cups of boiling water.
Let it cool, then strain and spray it on your plants.
3. Bay Leaves
Bay leaves contain compounds that naturally repel black beetles.
Place dried bay leaves in areas where you see or don’t want the beetles. Areas like in your pantry, in rice or flour containers, or near entry points to your home.
4. Chickens
Chickens are natural predators of some beetles and grubs. If you own chickens, allowing them in your yard or garden can help control beetles.
The chickens will eat both the adult beetles and their larvae.
5. Soapy Water
Soapy water is one of the easiest and most effective ways to get rid of black beetles in the garden.
Collect any beetles and larvae you spot and drop them in some soapy water. This will kill them.
You can also pour some soapy water onto the grass or lawn. Any bugs in the treated area will come to the surface, where you can deal with them.
6. Till the Affected Soil Regularly
If you notice signs of black beetles, disturb their habitat by tilling the soil. This will expose them to predators. As the larvae develop into adults, they stay in the soil during pupation.
By tilling the top few inches of soil often, you expose the beetles to predators like birds.
7. Birds
Some birds are natural predators of beetles and bugs. Insect-eating birds include Cardinals, sparrows, and woodpeckers. These birds feast on adult beetles, larvae, and even eggs.
Try to attract birds to your yard. Place feeders and baths near plants where you see the beetles. The birds will hunt the beetles and larvae as they visit the feeders.
8. Remove Garden Trash
Remove any fallen leaves, dead plants, weeds, mulch, wood piles, or other organic debris from around the garden and pool area. These provide potential shelter and a food source for the critters.
9. Vinegar
Another great home remedy for carpet beetles is vinegar. Spray water mixed with apple cider vinegar on infested carpets and furniture.
You can also use vinegar and water on clothes that have these beetles. This will kill the eggs and larvae.
10. Floating Row Covers
Floating row covers shield plants from bugs but still let light, air, and water through. When used correctly, they can effectively keep unwanted visitors out of your garden.
11. Neem Oil
When sprayed directly on black beetles, neem oil can kill them. It also leaves behind a strong smell that repels other beetles and prevents them from feeding on plants.
To use neem oil for black beetle control, mix 4 teaspoons of cold-pressed neem oil and 1 teaspoon of liquid soap with a gallon of water.
Shake well to emulsify the oil in the water. Spray the mixture directly on black beetles and larvae. Also, spray it on plants.
When used properly and consistently, this DIY spray is very effective at repelling and killing black beetles organically.
12. Vacuuming
Vacuuming up these beetles is an easy way to physically remove infestations from your home.
Plug in your vacuum and use the hose attachment to suction up any beetles you see crawling around. Pay extra attention to entry points like cracks and crevices in walls, cabinets, baseboards, and floors.
Empty the vacuum immediately afterward into an outdoor trash bin. However, seal the bag to ensure no beetles escape back into your home.
13. Diatomaceous Earth
This is a natural mineral powder that will help get rid of black beetles in your home.
To use it, apply a light dusting in areas where you see the beetles crawling. The powder dehydrates the beetles and kills them within a few days.
14. Steam Upholstered Furniture and Carpets
Steam cleaning upholstered furniture and carpets is an effective way to kill black carpet beetles.
Be very thorough while steaming, getting into all seams, tufts, edges, and underneath cushions. Steam along the edges and seams of carpeting [2].
15. Regularly Dethatch Lawns and Turfed Areas
Regularly rake or dethatch your lawn and any turfed areas. This will help remove dead grass clippings, leaves, and other debris where African Black Beetles and other bugs like to hide and breed.
16. Avoid Using Bright Outdoor Lighting at Night
Harsh outdoor lighting attracts ground beetles and other nocturnal insects. Therefore, switch to yellow lights, which are less attractive to night-flying insects.
You should also avoid leaving porch lights, floodlights, and landscape lighting on all night when possible.
17. Dispose of Garbage from the Kitchen
The kitchen is ground zero for those pesky black beetles. Therefore, empty the trash, like yesterday.
Food scraps are also a beetle buffet, so get in the habit of taking out the garbage daily.
Wipe down counters and sweep floors. Crumbs and spills attract insects like ants very quickly.
18. Store Foods Properly
Also, store food items in airtight containers. Don’t give beetles an easy meal. Keep flour, rice, cereal, and other grains in sealed bags, jars, or bins.
19. Seal Gaps and Crack
Check the exterior of your home for any gaps around windows, doors, siding, foundations, and the attic. Use caulk, weatherstripping, door sweeps, or repair damaged screens to plug up any holes or tears.
Doing so can help keep away big black beetles, as well as tiny black beetles for good.
20. Trim Vegetation Around Home
Trim back any bushes, shrubs, or vegetation around the outside of your home and garden edges. Blister beetle infestations can occur in these areas.
21. Repellent Plants
Repellent plants like catnip, lavender, basil, rosemary, and chrysanthemums naturally deter black beetles and other common garden pests.
The strong fragrance of these herbs confuses and repels the beetles, driving them away from the area.
Takeaway
So there you have it: natural and earth-friendly ways to eliminate pesky black beetles invading your space. With a little diligence and the right natural repellents, those beetles don’t stand a chance against an eco-warrior like you.
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