Are they dangerous?
To humans? Nah. They’re just big and loud and sort of unnerving when they fly straight at your forehead. They won’t bite. They don’t sting. No diseases. Just a lot of drama.
But if there are a lot of them? Yeah, they can be a pain. Especially around lights—porches, windows, anything bright. You leave a window open in May and suddenly it’s like hosting a bug rave.
The larvae are the real problem. They’ll wreck your lawn, your garden beds, anything with tender little roots. And the worst part is, you won’t know they’re there until your plants just… stop looking alive.
What do you do if one gets inside?
First, try not to freak out. I know, easier said than done when it’s zooming around like a drunk drone.
Here’s the move:
- Trap it gently. Glass, cup, whatever you’ve got. Slide paper under, take it outside.
- Kill the lights. If your home looks like a lighthouse at night, you’re basically sending out invites. Use blackout curtains, dim the lighting, do what you can.
- Seal things up. Check the usual suspects—windows, vents, doors. Anywhere they could sneak in.
What if they’re outside but there’s just… too many?
Now we’re into infestation territory. If you’re noticing beetles and weird patches of dying grass or sad-looking plants, the grubs are probably throwing a root-munching party underground.
You’ve got a few options:
- Nematodes. Yeah, I know. Sounds made up. But they’re real—tiny beneficial worms that live in the soil and snack on beetle larvae like it’s tapas night. You can buy them online or at garden centers.
- Milky spore. Another natural treatment. It doesn’t kill the grubs instantly—it’s more of a long game. You spread it on your lawn and over time it infects the larvae, reducing future outbreaks.
- Regular lawn care. I mean, yeah, kind of boring, but it works. Aerate your soil, don’t overwater, mow your grass at a sensible height. Basically, don’t give the beetles a five-star nursery for their spawn.
