Black bug - Ask Extension
I am in the process of buying a house. The walkout basement was full of these dead bugs. I don't know what they are. I would like to ID these critters...
Knowledgebase
Black bug #364533
Asked September 21, 2016, 1:24 PM EDT
I am in the process of buying a house. The walkout basement was full of these dead bugs. I don't know what they are. I would like to ID these critters and know if they are harmful, wood boring, etc.
Las Animas County Colorado
Expert Response
Those are a type of carrion beetle, probably Thanatophilus truncates.
They likely developed on some sort of dead animal materia ( a squirrel, rodent, snake that die behind a wall)? Manure is also a reported as a food source for the larval stages of this beetle.
That is probably a bit unpleasant to hear, but these insects are not damaging to wood , stored foods or other household items. If there is no longer a food source (see above) then these insects should die out on their own.
