Are Palo Verde beetles harmful to cats? A question most Arizona residents ask.
If you’ve asked these questions it’s not your fault.
Here’s why.
I know you’re like me, you care about your fur babies.
And you don’t want anything to hurt them.
Here’s a simple answer to your question
Are Palo Verde beetle harmful to cats
Palo Verde beetles are not harmful to cats but can bite cats when threatened or attacked.
Palo Verde are not aggressive to cats despite their large size
However cats hunt venims and could be aggressive towards Palo Verde.
However you’d said like most fur parents, my cat will not attack or play with a Palo Verde.
Make sure you read threats Palo Verde may pose just being in your yard.
But that’s not all.
Palo Verde beetle also poses a threat to your cat
Emotionally and otherwise.
In this comphensive guide I’ll reveal:
Why you must protect your feline companions:
- Physically
- emotionally
- And from other potential predators Palo Verde beetle might pose
but that’s not all.
- Signs your fur baby has eaten a Palo Verde beetle.
- Symptoms to look out for if your feline friends are attacked by Palo Verde.
- Ignoring this can cost you hard earned dollars…
- What to do when you spot a Palo Verde beetle in your garden.
- Indirect threats Palo Verde beetle pose to cats.
- Mistakes never to make with Palo Verde for cats and humans.
- Tips to tell your kids about Palo Verde and cat safety
- Plus Ecological benefits of Palo Verde
- And many more.
Here’s what you can do to help millions of Arizona residents keep their fur babies safe.
Share this now while it’s fresh in your mind.
Now that we have gotten that out of the way.
Let me answer the question: what are Palo Verde beetles?
What are Palo Verde beetle
Palo Verde beetle (Derobrachus hovorei) is a long horn beetle species in the family Cerambycidae.
Adults palo Verde have long antennae, and spines on the thorax.
Palo Verde derives its common name from the palo verde tree, it source of food.
it is one of the largest beetles in North America,
Palo Verde is native to southwestern United States and northern Mexico.
Most Adults are black or brown in colour,
Palo Verde have wings and can fly, but fly awkwardly.
What happens if my cat attack a Palo Verde beetle
Palo Verde may bite a cat in self defense when threatened or attacked.
But that’s not all.
Make sure you don’t pick these giant buds without adequate hand gear.
Here’s why.
Palo Verde will also bite humans when threatened.
But that’s not all.
Palo Verde also make strange buzz and hissing when picked up.
These strange buss may scare you.
What happens if my cats eat a Palo Verde beetle?
Cats will experience some digestive discomfort, and drowsiness because of the insect’s hard exoskeleton.
Here’s a soothing words to fur parents
Palo Verde beetle are not poisonous, and unlikely to cause long term toxicity.
However, you’d take precautions to avoid your cats eating these giant bud.
But that’s not all.
Palo Verde can also cause
Stress and Anxiety in cats.
Palo Verde might cause stress and anxiety to some cats.
Here’s why.
Cats night vision and sense of smell is highly developed.
Cats can detect high frequency made when these giant bugs critters around.
This strange buss can indirectly affect your cats health and wellbeing.
I just said something very important please don’t gloss over it.
The indirect impact of Palo Verde beetle to your cats mental health is worth your time.
But that’s not all.
Make sure to read about Palo Verde beetle increase risk of predator attack on your cat.
What happens if there are many Palo Verde beetle in my yard?
The presence of Palo Verde beetle in your yard increase the risk of predator like coyotes which prey on these giant buds and also posse treats to cats.
If I’m from Arizona I’ll write this down.
It’s the reason for most lost indoor cats in Arizona.
Coyotes hunt these bug thus are a threat to any outdoor cats in the area.
But that’s not all.
Birds like owl are also a threat.
Here’s what all feline parents need to do in June (Palo Verde beetle season)
If you’ve indoor always keep them indoor.
Remember, these giant bugs only last for at least a month.(June)
But that’s not all
Here’s ways to protect your cats from these giant bugs.
How to get rid of the Palo Verde beetle.
Although Palo Verde beetle are not direct threats to cats.
Here are precautions feline parents need to make to reduce potential predator attacks.
Always Keep your Cats Indoors:
In summer it’s best to keep your feline companions indoor when these bugs critters are around.
But that’s not all.
If your cats ever gets outside make sure you’d keep an eye on them.
Secure all Outdoor enclosure
All outdoor enclosure or catio should be well sealed to prevent these giant bugs from entering.
But that’s not all.
Regularly check to ensure these lazy giant bug does not bore or burrow it way in.
Remove Attractants:
Palo Verde are attract to outdoor lighting at night.
Reducing outdoor lighting can help make your property less attractive to these bugs.
- Replace white light to sodium vapor/yellow lights.
- Turn off unused light especially during peak months.
- Take away the source of Palo Verde food: decaying logs in your yard.
Regular Inspections of your property:
Regularly inspection of your property for exit holes around trees roots.
But that’s not all
The presence of adult beetle is a sure sign the giant bugs are in your property.
Make sure to take all these steps once you see any of these signs at once.
Teach Your Cat to Ignore these Bugs.
Cats are smart and will easily notice these giant bugs before you do.
However, although Palo Verde are not direct threats they can cause harm to cats.
Here’s what to do if your cat seem interested in these bugs.
Teach your cats to avoid interacting with these bugs using positive reinforcement.
But that’s not all.
This also applies to cockroaches, scorpions, bugs and spiders too.
What do Palo Verde beetles eat?
The Grubs of Palo Verde feed on tree roots for years and can weaken trees.
If you’ve a garden and you spot a Palo Verde beetle in your yard.
Pleases take action don’t gloss over them
Here’s why.
The larval of palo verde beetles cause significant damage to trees like citrus and mulberry tree.
But here’s a threat of Palo Verde that can cost you hard earned dollar.
Palo Verde beetle make large holes in the ground when they emerge.
This is unsightly if you’ve invested in landscaping your yard or garden.
Palo Verde beetle important to the ecosystem.
Although Palo Verde may be described as lazy bugs that destroy tree and roots.
They play important role in the ecosystem
Here’s how.
Palo Verde serve as source of foods for birds and small mammals like coyotes.
Here’s why this is important.
Absence of these giant bugs will make birds and coyotes hunt our fur babies.
I just said something that might agigate most fur parents.
However, Next time when you walk past a Palo Verde beetle you’d smile knowing your fur babies will be safe…
I just share an important tip, Please don’t gloss over it.
share this to millions of fur parents who smash these bugs on sight.
However, you’d ask what do Palo Verde actually does.
Importance of the Palo Verde beetle to the ecosystem.
The importance of Palo Verde serves to increase biodiversity.
But that’s not all.
Palo Verde also cleans the forest and vegetation.
Here’s how.
The larvae of Palo Verde are voracious eater of decaying tree roots.
Here’s why this is important.
Palo Verde larva helps complete the nutrient circle.
But that’s not all.
It also help keep forest clean of dead woods.
Interesting Facts about Palo Verde beetle.
Here’s a little trivia about Palo Verde that’s guaranteed to amaze friends and relatives.
- Palo Verde (Derobrachus hovorei) was confused with Derobrachus geminatus for more than 100 years.
- Palo Verde beetle is named after the Palo Verde tree which serves as its source of food.
- Palo Verde hatch eggs into grubs
Palo Verde also feed on:
- The Siberian elm
- white and fruitless mulberry,
- Citrus and
- various cottonwoods.
Wrap up on: Are Palo Verde beetles harmful to cats?
If you’ve asked, are Palo Verde beetles harmful to cats?
I’m sure by now you’ve been empowered to help feline parents.
Here’s a summary you can share to millions of fur parents.
- Palo Verde beetles are not harmful to cats directly but increase the threat of other predators.
- Palo Verde beetle are not toxic to cats but should not be eaten.
- Palo Verde beetles can be easily controlled by reducing lighting and taking away their sources of food.
- Palo Verde beetles in your yard may increase risk of other predators like owls and coyotes.
Be a hero to thousands of feline parents around Phoenix Arizona.
Your decision to share this message will:
- Increase the wellbeing of cats
- Reduce worries and anxiety of cat owners.
- Reduce insurance travel and veterinary cost when Palo Verde beetle attack their cats
Remember, small hinges open big doors.
While it’s fresh in your mind, share now.
Always Remember, you can help reduce pet abandonment if you share useful tips to feline parents.
Eke Obiajurum.
