A New Annoying Pest Has Officially Been Found In Idaho

Idaho homeowners will have to add another pest to their watchlist as researchers from the University of Idaho have confirmed a new pest has made its way to the Treasure Valley.

A New Pest Is Invading The Treasure Valley

According to a report from John O'Connell of the University of Idaho, a new insect known as "darkling beetles" has arrived in the Treasure Valley. The researchers at the University of Idaho initially shared their discovery of the pest back in January in a journal published by Armando Falcon-Brindis, Henry Trujillo, and Jason Thomas, which is viewable in their online University of Idaho library.

"Opatroides punctulatus Brullé, 1832 is a detritivore tenebrionid beetle native to the Old World that was detected in the United States over 20 years ago," the journal reads. "It is well adapted to Mediterranean climates between 30°N and 45°N, characterized by hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters."

"We confirm the presence of this species in south-west Idaho."

Why Are Darkling Beetles Bad?

According to John O'Connell of the University of Idaho, the darling beetle "doesn't appear to cause significant damage to agricultural crops" and is not a serious threat to Idaho farms. However, we found another source, A-Z Animals, that says darkline beetles are attracted to "areas rich in food, including manure piles and compost," which they say makes them common pests on farms.

There have been reports of darling beetle larvae being spotted at homes in Eagle and Star, with the darling beetles reportedly being found in places like under the stove, beneath mats, etc. Because they can multiply quickly and return just as fast as they're removed, they can become a real problem in those hard-to-reach areas of your home.

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To add to the headache, darkling beetles have a chance of carrying diseases, which can make a home infestation that much more serious.

If you think your home is at risk of being infested by these annoying beetles or their larvae, you can take preventative measures like making sure you don't have any manure lying around your property and keeping wet areas near your home clean.