“They crawl even through the screens“: after heavy rains, Aktobe residents faced an unexpected problem
In recent days, social media in Aktobe has been flooded with complaints from residents regarding the beetle invasion.
"They even crawl through mosquito nets. Yesterday, I came home from work and found so many of these black beetles in the apartment... The yard is also covered in them. What kind of invasion is this?" residents ask.
The city Akimat stated that they have already conducted a preliminary assessment based on resident reports. According to available photos, the insects are not cockroaches. They are suspected to be ground beetles (Carabidae) or darkling beetles (Tenebrionidae).
View this post on Instagram
Publication from AKTOBE SERGEK | AQTOBE SERGEK (@aqtobe_sergek)
"Beetles of these families are common inhabitants of soil and open areas. Their mass appearance and migration can occur after prolonged rainfall due to excessive soil moisture and changes in habitat conditions. During this period, the insects move actively and can enter residential premises through cracks, doorways, ventilation openings, and other routes," the Aktobe Akimat reported.
They also clarified that the current disinfestation efforts against mosquitoes, ticks, and elm leaf beetles do not affect the population of these specific beetles, as those treatments target different arthropod species.
"The mass appearance of the beetles is seasonal and temporary. Such phenomena can be observed after prolonged precipitation when soil temperature and humidity change. As weather conditions stabilize, the beetle population typically decreases naturally, and they return to their natural habitats," the Akimat noted.
However, authorities have not ruled out additional measures. Officials stated that they are considering the possibility of conducting specialized disinfestation treatments aimed at reducing the numbers of these beetles.
As a reminder, Aktobe experienced record rainfall a month ago. It rained almost daily throughout June. Residents shared footage of the aftermath on social media: pedestrians waded through rushing torrents, while cars struggled to navigate flooded road sections. One video showed people forced to wade through water near a bus stop as the flooding completely submerged sidewalks and curbs.