It’s that time of year where you may see this small red and black beetle may start to invade your home. Some may only notice a few, but others may feel as though the house is being invaded by a swarm! These annoying invaders are commonly known as false blister beetles. We have a few different species here in Hawaii. They are about 1 cm long with a red thorax and a black head and abdomen. They are nocturnal and are very attracted to lights. Although they are an introduced species to Hawaii from Polynesia, they aren’t considered an invasive species because they don’t cause significant harm to the environment, the economy, or human health. However, they can be very irritating, and questions about false blister beetles come in to BIISC very often at this time of the year!
Don’t let the name mislead you – there’s nothing “false” about the blisters they can cause. Their bodies contain a substance that is a skin irritant, and any bruising to the beetle’s body could cause a release of the fluid that will in turn produce a small but mildly painful blister. Some people have reported waking up with blisters after accidentally crushing bugs while sleeping, or they may notice a blister after swiping the bug off an arm or leg. The sensitivity to false blister beetle “juices” varies from person to person, but everyone should take care when handling them. Use a napkin or gloves when disposing of them, or blow them gently if they land on you, rather than swatting.
Getting Rid of False Blister Beetles
As pollen feeders, the adults tend to swell in numbers in the spring and summer when their food source is most available. These beetles emerge together and seem to invade homes in large numbers, but this phenomena lasts for only for a short time. Ananca bicolor have a short life span and tend to die off fairly quickly. But there are a few things you can do to mitigate their numbers while you wait for the larger population to fade:
Light & Trapping
They are attracted to light, so during their active times, it is best to turn off all lights in rooms you aren’t using. Utilize curtains and blinds as much as you can to discourage light from attracting the bugs from outside. Turn on a bright outside light in an unoccupied area to lure them away. If you don’t mind disposing of dead beetles in the morning, place a container filled with slightly soapy water under the light as a trap. The soap breaks the surface tension of the water, so when the beetles land on the surface they sink and drown rather than floating.
Use a vacuum with an extension handle to remove any beetles from the walls and ceilings in your bedroom before you go to sleep.
Barriers
Make sure all screens and windows are properly sealed. Holes in the screen make it easy for false blister beetles to get into your home. Block off any cracks and crevices under doors and windows where they may be crawling in. These physical barriers don’t seem like much, but they can be extremely helpful in reducing the number of beetles getting into your home.
Chemical insect barriers such as Talstar and Home Defense have less efficacy against flying insects than they do for crawling insects, but if you notice a surface that seems particularly attractive to false blister beetles, you may try using one to dissuade them from gathering there. (Always read the product label to be sure you are using it correctly and in the right place!)
Reduce Habitat
The beetle larvae live and feed on organic matter. Remove plant wastes from around your home and push back any compost piles.
While these methods won’t control 100% of the beetles, they will help reduce the amount you come in contact with.
It’s a great time to purchase and plant young ohi’a that you can enjoy for years to come! Be careful to plant your ohi’a where it will be protected from damage by yard equipment, away from any utility lines, and in areas absent roaming goats or cattle (which can cause bark damage that allows the fungus to enter the tree). Download our Plant Pono 
rooping or brown needles.
