Pest Control Fact Sheets

Cockchafers or Maybug

Facts about cockchafers

Also known as Maybug or Junebug as they are usually seen in late spring and early summer
Cockchafers are 15-20 millimetres long
Their colour range from light brown/grey to dark brown/black
Large beetles, which are clumsy and make a very loud buzzing sound when flying
Mostly affect flats and high rise buildings

Recognising a cockchafer problem

Cockchafers gather together on top of buildings
They are active in late evening and enter buildings through open windows or down chimneys
They do not bite or sting and are not a danger to health
They nest outdoors in over grown gardens or undisturbed ground

What you can do

Individual insects can be killed using an insect spray suitable for indoors
Put up fine mesh over door and window to stop them entering your home
We do not provide pest control treatment for Cockchafers as they only live up to 48 hours

Service we provide

We offer a free identification service. You will need to catch the insect, seal it securely in a clear plastic container labelled with your name, address and telephone number. You can contact us for a suitable container.

You should then send it us by post at the address shown below or you can take it to one of the following offices:

Barking Office: Barking Learning Centre, 2 Town Square, Barking, IG11 7NB|

Dagenham Office: Housing Enquiries Office, 2 Stour Road, Dagenham, RM10 7JF|

Our qualified pest officers will identify it and let you know what it is.