How to Get Rid of Stag Beetles – A Guide for Homeowners

With their large mandibles and imposing size, stag beetles can look intimidating if they show up around your home. However, these beetles are not considered pests and do not damage household structures or living trees In most cases, the best solution is to simply leave stag beetles alone and enjoy their fascinating life cycle But if an infestation around your property is problematic, there are some effective and eco-friendly ways to deter stag beetles without harming them.

Understanding Stag Beetles

• Stag beetles belong to the family Lucanidae, with around 1,200 species worldwide. Of these, the European stag beetle (Lucanus cervus) is the largest in the UK, reaching up to 76mm long.

• Only the male stag beetle has the iconic antler-like mandibles used for wrestling other males to win a mate. The mandibles of females are much smaller.

• Stag beetle larvae live underground and feed on decaying wood for up to 7 years before emerging as adults. They do not harm living trees or shrubs.

• Adults live for just a few months and do not feed during this brief period, subsisting only on fat reserves built up as a grub.

• Stag beetles are a protected species in the UK due to habitat loss It is illegal to sell or keep them without a permit.

Why Stag Beetles Invade Homes

Stag beetles may seem attracted to dwellings, but in most cases they simply wander into gardens and homes by accident while searching for mates, food, or suitable habitat. Reasons for stag beetle invasions include:

• Attraction to lights – Like many nocturnal insects, stag beetles navigate by moonlight. Bright outdoor lighting can confuse and attract them.

• Seeking shelter – Beetles may crawl into garages, sheds, and homes while seeking cool, damp places to hide on hot days.

• Breeding activity – In summer, male stag beetles fly in search of females. They may blunder indoors in the process.

• Suitable larval habitat – Rotting wood from structures and trees around your home can provide ideal breeding sites.

How to Get Rid of Stag Beetles Naturally

Before taking any action, remember that stag beetles are beneficial insects worthy of protection. Look for humane, non-lethal solutions:

• Leave them be – Adult stag beetles live only a few weeks and do not bite or sting. If they are not causing harm, let them be.

• Turn off lights – Reduce outdoor lighting at night during summer breeding months to avoid attracting beetles.

• Seal entry points – Caulk cracks and install door sweeps to prevent accidental entry. Screen vents and chimneys as well.

• Collect and relocate – Carefully capture individual beetles in a container and release them outdoors away from your home. Wear gloves when handling.

• Create habitat elsewhere – Build a log pile away from your home to divert larvae. Avoid disturbing existing breeding sites.

• Use repellents – Strong aromas from cloves, mint, citrus peels, or camphor may help deter beetles from entering.

When to Call Pest Control for Stag Beetles

You may need to consider pest management professionals if:

• Large numbers of beetles are invading your living spaces nightly.

• Evidence of beetle damage is found on structures.

• Attempts to seal entry points fail to exclude beetles.

• An underground larval habitat like a wood pile cannot be relocated from your property.

Choose a service that practices humane removal and relocation methods for stag beetles whenever possible. Avoid those proposing injurious or lethal control approaches.

Preventing Future Stag Beetle Infestations

To avoid ongoing issues with stag beetles around your home:

• Install yellow “bug lights” that are less attractive to insects.

• Address moisture issues such as leaky pipes, standing water, and excessive humidity.

• Stack firewood and lumber neatly off the ground and far from your home’s foundation.

• Seal any gaps and cracks in your home’s exterior. Use expanding foam for larger holes.

• Replace wood mulch around foundations with less-appealing options like pebbles or rubber.

• Clean gutters and drain flat rooftops to prevent water pooling.

• Keep tree stumps and fallen logs removed from your property.

With some simple exclusionary tactics and habitat modifications, you can deter stag beetles from becoming problematic around your home. Avoid harming these fascinating insects, and remind children to admire but not touch. A few stray beetles now and then are simply part of coexisting with nature.

Can Stag Beetles Damage My Home?

While adult stag beetles do not cause any structural damage, their larvae feed on decaying wood for years while developing underground. This could potentially impact wooden elements of your home over time if breeding sites are located immediately adjacent to the foundation.

Signs of larval damage could include:

• Weakened wooden support beams or posts

• Holes bored into wooden structural elements

• Damaged wooden shutters, doors, window frames or siding

While rare, severe infestations left untreated may necessitate fumigation or foundation repairs. This is why preventing suitable breeding conditions close to your home is key.

Are Stag Beetles Harmful to Humans or Pets?

Stag beetles do not bite or sting, and they are not poisonous or venomous. The large mandibles of male beetles can give a moderately painful pinch, but they are not an aggressive species. Stag beetles do not spread any diseases and only very rarely bite if severely provoked. They can safely be picked up but should be handled gently and not squeezed. With basic caution and respect, stag beetles pose no risks to people or pets sharing their habitat. Always supervise small children around insects.

Fun Facts About Stag Beetles

• Stag beetle jaws are the strongest among any insect relative to body size. Their bite force is around 30-40 Newtons compared to humans at 700!

• Adult stag beetles have no functioning mouthparts. They live only on fat reserves accumulated as larvae. Some don’t eat at all as adults during their brief 2-8 week lifespan.

• Males battle each other using their mandibles. The jaws are used as shields, levers, nutcrackers and spears, but contestants rarely seriously injure each other. Displays settle disputes without combat.

• Larvae spend up to 7 years underground feeding on decaying wood before finally pupating into adulthood.

• Stag beetle larvae help enrich soil. Their tunneling aerates the ground and their waste products recycle nutrients back into the earth.

• Adults can detect the scent of a female stag beetle up to half a mile away!

Stag beetles may look imposing, but they are fascinating insects that are generally harmless. Appreciate these unique beetles when you encounter them, and opt for gentle, non-lethal methods if they become a nuisance. With some awareness and preventative measures, we can peacefully coexist with stag beetles in our shared habitats.