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Giant Beetles Swarm Texas Gas Stations After Rain

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Author Waldemar Mopera

A close-up view of beetles hanging around in a leaf.
A close-up view of beetles hanging around in a leaf. Image via Pexels

Residents of a small Texas town got a nasty surprise last week when swarms of enormous beetles—some over 7.5 cm (3 inches) long—descended on local gas stations, homes, and parking lots, turning nightfall into a full-on bug bombardment.

Lights Out, Beetles In

A medium-sized beetle in its natural habitat.
A medium-sized beetle in its natural habitat. Image via Unsplash

It started in Gatesville, Texas, just after a humid summer rain. Locals pumping gas or grabbing snacks were suddenly hit with flying thumps to the head, chest, and windshield. What looked like dark leaves in the air turned out to be giant June beetles—thousands of them.

“They were everywhere,” said one clerk at a 24-hour gas station. “Buzzing, bumping into everything, getting stuck in my hair, and crawling into open car windows.”

While mostly harmless, the beetles caused enough chaos that a few businesses turned off their exterior lights altogether to avoid the swarm.

Why It’s Happening Now

An artistic shot of a beetle clinging on a stem.
An artistic shot of a beetle clinging on a stem. Image via Pexels

This mass beetle emergence isn’t random. It’s actually a natural—if creepy—phenomenon in the South. Here’s what’s behind it:

  • Warm, wet conditions: June beetles (also known as May beetles) spend the year underground as grubs, then emerge after a heavy rain in early summer.
  • Attracted to light: These nocturnal bugs are drawn to bright lights like magnets. Gas stations and streetlights become accidental gathering spots for beetles.
  • Short window: The adult beetles only live a few weeks, just long enough to mate and lay eggs before disappearing again.

The species common to Texas can grow quite large, and though they don’t bite or sting, their sheer size and clumsy flying make them startling guests.

How To Beat a Beetle Swarm

Not a fan of being pelted by bugs the size of ping pong balls? Here’s how to keep your porch—and sanity—intact:

  • Use yellow bug lights – These attract fewer insects than standard white or blue-tinted bulbs.
  • Keep windows and doors sealed – Once inside, these beetles are hard to catch and loud.
  • Limit outdoor lighting – Turn off unnecessary lights at night during peak swarm weeks.
  • Don’t squash them – It’s gross, and their scent can attract more insects.
“June Beetles: Buzzing My Lawn Like a Bee,” Source: YouTube, Uploaded: UMDHGIC

When the Buzz Finally Dies Down

While the swarm may feel like something out of a horror movie, it’s a temporary natural cycle. The beetles will be gone almost as suddenly as they arrived. But for now, Texans are learning to pump gas with one hand while swatting with the other—and maybe keeping their mouths closed while walking under streetlights. Because in June, even the bugs show up big in Texas.

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