If you find a longhorn beetle in your house, it is usually because it has come in with freshly cut or stored wood, as these beetles typically infest living or recently dead trees rather than household items.
Book novelties:
Prioninae of the World I.
Cerambycidae of the Western Paleartic I.
Adult longhorn beetles themselves do not damage furniture or household structures, but their larvae can cause significant damage if they infest wood used in your home.
Longhorn beetle in house
Key points about longhorn beetles in houses:
Longhorn beetles rarely enter homes on their own; they usually arrive inside firewood, lumber, or wooden packaging brought indoors.
The larvae bore into wood, creating tunnels that can weaken structural timbers or wooden furniture if the infestation is severe.
Adult beetles are harmless to humans; they do not sting or poison but can bite if handled roughly, causing painful but non-dangerous bites.
Signs of infestation include small round exit holes in wood, sawdust (frass) around wooden structures, and weakened or crumbling wood.
The house longhorn beetle (Hylotrupes bajulus) is a common species that attacks coniferous timbers in buildings, with larvae living inside wood for several years before emerging as adults.
To manage an infestation, affected wood may need to be removed or treated with wood preservatives, and preventive treatments applied to nearby timbers. Heat treatment or fumigation can also be used but do not guarantee future protection.
In summary, finding a longhorn beetle in your house is usually a sign of wood infestation, especially if you store untreated wood indoors. While the adult beetles are not dangerous, their larvae can cause serious damage to wooden structures over time, so prompt identification and treatment are important to prevent structural damage.
