…By Alan Peterson for TDPel Media.
People across the UK are grappling with an influx of cockchafers invading their homes.
These insects make an appearance every year, taking flight and buzzing around residential areas for a period lasting six to eight weeks.
Growing to over an inch in length, the cockchafers spend three to four years as larvae underground, feeding on grass roots.
They then emerge as adults, generating a distinctive whirring sound as they fly.
Reports of Giant Flying Beetles in Homes
In the past week, numerous individuals have taken to Twitter to share their encounters with these giant flying beetles within their residences. T
he insects, attracted to light sources, have managed to make their way indoors.
While they are recognized as garden pests during their larval stage, where they consume grass roots and create unsightly brown patches, cockchafers pose no harm to humans.
Quirky Reactions to Cockchafer Encounters
Residents have shared their unique experiences with these unexpected visitors.
Clark Davis from St Albans, Hertfordshire, described the sound resembling that of a helicopter before discovering the unusual-looking insect, later identified as a cockchafer.
Gaia Sophia recounted an incident where one of the bugs inadvertently struck her face, humorously stating that “when a cockchafer hits you in the face, you know about it.”
ErikTat shared a startling encounter of being hit by a massive cockchafer not once, but twice, emphasizing the intimidating nature of these insects.
While the invasion of cockchafers may startle residents and create temporary disturbances, it’s important to note that these beetles pose no significant threat to human well-being.
As the annual season progresses, individuals may need to take precautionary measures to prevent the insects from entering their homes, ensuring a peaceful coexistence with these temporary visitors.