June bugs are a common sight during warmer months, often seen buzzing around outdoor lights at night. Understanding their characteristics and behaviors can clarify concerns about their presence.
Understanding June Bugs
June bugs, also known as May beetles, are a type of scarab beetle that typically emerges in late spring and early summer. Adult June bugs usually measure between 0.5 to 1 inch in length and have stout, oval-shaped bodies. Their coloring ranges from reddish-brown to dark brown, often with an iridescent sheen on their wing covers. They possess antennae and shiny wings that form a hard shell when not in flight.
These beetles are known for their somewhat clumsy flight patterns, which can lead them to collide with objects like windows or screens. June bugs are nocturnal, remaining largely dormant during the day and becoming active at night. They are strongly attracted to light sources, which is why they are frequently observed congregating around porch lights or streetlights after dusk. The adult phase of their life cycle is relatively short, lasting less than a year.
Threats to People and Pets
June bugs do not bite or sting people, and they are not venomous. Their mouthparts are designed for chewing plant material, not for biting large animals. While their clumsy flight might be startling if they fly into someone, physical contact with an adult June bug is generally harmless.
There is no evidence that June bugs transmit diseases to humans or animals. If a June bug lands on skin, the spines on its legs might cause a slight, temporary pinch, but this is due to their grip, not an intentional bite or sting. While June bugs themselves are not toxic, pets consuming a large quantity of them might experience mild gastrointestinal upset, such as vomiting or diarrhea.
Damage to Plants and Lawns
While adult June bugs can feed on the foliage of trees and shrubs, causing small, uneven holes in leaves, this damage is typically minor and often goes unnoticed. The more significant damage associated with June bugs comes from their larval stage, known as white grubs. These C-shaped larvae, which are typically white with a brownish head, live underground.
White grubs feed voraciously on the roots of grasses, garden plants, and agricultural crops, which can lead to considerable harm. Signs of grub damage in lawns include irregular brown or dead patches that may feel spongy underfoot. These affected areas can often be easily lifted, similar to pulling back a carpet, due to the severed roots. Increased activity from animals such as birds, skunks, raccoons, and moles digging in the lawn can also indicate a grub infestation, as these animals prey on the larvae.
Coexisting with June Bugs
Given that June bugs are generally not harmful to people or pets, managing their presence often involves simple adjustments rather than aggressive elimination. Since adult June bugs are attracted to lights, turning off unnecessary outdoor lights at night or switching to yellow or LED bulbs can help reduce their congregation around your home. Ensuring window screens are intact can also prevent them from flying indoors.
Maintaining a healthy lawn can naturally deter June bugs. Keeping grass at a slightly longer height, around 3 inches, can discourage females from laying eggs in the turf. Regular lawn care practices like aeration can also make the environment less appealing for grubs. The adult phase of June bugs is relatively brief, and they are a natural part of the ecosystem, serving as a food source for various predators like birds, bats, and toads. For more severe grub infestations that cause extensive lawn damage, introducing beneficial nematodes to the soil is an option, as these microscopic worms prey on the larvae.