Click beetles are common insects found globally, known for their unique clicking sound. This article clarifies their impact on humans, pets, and gardens.
Understanding Click Beetles
Click beetles, belonging to the family Elateridae, are identifiable by their elongated, somewhat flattened bodies, typically 2mm to 45mm long. Their coloration often includes shades of black, brown, or gray, with some species displaying patterns or eye-like spots. A distinguishing feature is their ability to forcefully arch their bodies, producing an audible “click” that propels them into the air. This mechanism allows them to right themselves if they land on their backs or to startle potential predators. Their larvae, known as wireworms, are slender, segmented, and tough, usually tan, white, or brown.
Threats to Humans and Pets
Click beetles are not dangerous to humans or pets. They do not bite or sting and are not venomous. While a click beetle might bite if handled roughly, their mandibles are not strong enough to break human skin. They also do not transmit diseases. If found indoors, these beetles pose no health risks and will not infest household items or food. Their clicking sound, while startling, is merely a defense mechanism or a way to flip themselves over.
Impact on Gardens and Homes
While adult click beetles are harmless, their larval stage, wireworms, can be agricultural pests. Wireworms live in the soil and feed on plant roots, seeds, and tubers, potentially damaging crops like potatoes, corn, and carrots. This feeding can lead to reduced germination, stunted growth, and wilting plants. Adult click beetles are attracted to light and may enter homes accidentally through cracks or gaps, but they do not cause structural damage or breed indoors.
Coexisting with Click Beetles
Adult click beetles are harmless, so gently relocating them if they enter your home is an option. Sealing entry points like cracks around windows and doors can help prevent them from coming indoors. For wireworms in gardens, cultural practices like regular soil cultivation in the fall can expose them to predators. Crop rotation and proper drainage can also help deter wireworms. Bait traps with potato pieces can lure and remove wireworms. Attracting natural predators like birds can also help manage wireworm populations.