Red Beetles Are Invading This Texas City

If you live in Socorro, TX, you might have noticed some uninvited guests lately. Red flour beetles have been making their way into homes and businesses, causing quite a stir. (Did someone say Beetlejuice three times and call out the wrong beetle??!!)

While these pesky little critters aren’t a huge public health risk, they can still be super annoying (and just gross and creepy) – and they might even cause allergic reactions in some people.

Socorro Officials Chime In:

Representative Mary Gonzalez, who serves House District 75 (that’s most of eastern El Paso County), took to Facebook to let everyone know that her office is on it.

They’ve reached out to the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, and a specialized entomologist is on the way to track down the source of the infestation. This expert has dealt with a similar situation in Lubbock, so it is safe to say that residents in the Socorro area are in good hands.

The City of Socorro also jumped in with some tips on how to handle these beetles

The city said there are ways to prevent infestations from happening:

Weather seal the bottom of doors.
Caulk all cracks around windows and gaps in entry or exit holes in exterior walls for appliances and plumbing.
Put fine mesh screen on roof vents, and any under-home access points.

The city also provided tips on how to treat infestations that have already occurred:

Spray a pyrethroid insecticide to exterior parts of the home.
Turn off all exterior lights if possible.
Keep windows closed, unless the screen has finer-type mesh than a standard window screen.
Spray perimeters with synthetic pyrethroids or pyrethrins.
WARNING: Do not use insecticides in food preparation areas, and only use those labeled for indoor use.
Throw away infested food.
Empty the area where you store food and vacuum. Wash shelves, drawers and corners with hot water and soap. You can also check for hidden areas under or around appliances.