Bloody stag beetle plague

[SinkGirl]

About a week ago, I came downstairs and found a dead stag beetle in my kitchen. Thank fuck it was dead, because these things terrify me to my very soul. When I was a kid, my friend got one stuck in her hair. I can’t even look at them, even when dead.

Yesterday, I found one in my garden, alive but struggling to move around. I ran away.

Tonight I was outside and I heard that horrible sound they make in a bush right by me... then I saw another fly across the sky. Ran inside. There were so many of them. At one point we saw four at the same time, but I reckon there were at least 6-8 flying around and crawling up the side of my house.

They must have been living in my garden. Everything I’ve read says you shouldnt move them far from where you find them. Does that mean they’re going to stay in my garden until they die off in August?

I get they are harmless, but they are giant scary, vertically flying bastards.

AIBU to just burn the garden and house down and start again?

YANBU. I know they’re endangered but they scare the fucking bejesus out of me.

Glad I’m not alone. They can’t be too fucking endangered based on the influx in my bloody garden tonight. It was like The Birds, only with beetles.

If I don’t come back to this post, I’ve been carried away by the buggers. Send help.

I’ve never seen a stag beetle, thank god, but I’ve seen some massive fuckers abroad. I hate the clumsy way they fly. You’re never quite sure which way they’re going to fly.

Chuck a match out the window and batten down the hatches.

You're so lucky to see them, I love them! My 7 year old keeps asking to see one but he hasn't yet :-(

I’ve never seen one in real life but YANBU

They are amazing creatures but but seem to have no sense of direction when flying !
Perhaps watch a nature program ( bound to be some thing on youtube ) and get to 'know' them so that you wont be so scared .
I do feel for you tho , I remember been at a friends house when one flew into a closed window , I though some one had chucked a tennis ball at it the sound was so loud

They are horrible bastard things, I used to live in a street that had trees/bushes full of them. I used to walk (run) up the middle of the road to stay away from them

One walked across the sofa once in the bloody dentist’s waiting room. I nearly had a heart attack. I was already on the edge!

Yabu, how a giant planet destroying human can be afraid of a harmless and vulnerable little beetle is beyond me. Get over it. Learn about them. Start protecting them.

They are amazing! Yes, they look a bit frightening, but we always get so excited when we see them!

Aw, the poor sods are endangered. I saved one from being squished the other day, had to pick it up off the pavement in front of a shop and place it under a tree. It was beautiful. They need all the help they can get.

They're so impressive, how could you not be fascinated by them?
Please don't hurt them.
If they are in your house, scoop them up in a tupperware container with a lid, chuck them outside.
When I lived in SW London, there were loads, haven't seen one for years now and I miss them.

Poor stag beetles.

I've never seen one, I'd love to.

I've never seen one, I'd love to.

I had no idea that they were endangered. I've seen them in my garden when I was living in London. I wonder if it was the same one I saw each time?

I love stag beetles, but can see why people find them a bit creepy! You can report a siting here to help understand how endangered they are: ptes.org/get-involved/surveys/garden/great-stag-hunt/stag-hunt-survey/

They are scary but quite daft and you need to report any sightings.
If they are in the floor they can't get airborne so need to be higher up.
I used to be scared of them but have read up on them and now rescue them when they are on the floor, unfortunately quite a few drown in our pond.

Weird horned ugly fuckers. I am petrified of them. Ewww. They are protected now and some weirdo humans are probably nurturing them.
I can do worms and spiders and all sorts but not shelled crunchy gits. Others are earwigs and cockroaches. Beetles do not belong here

Stag beetles are beautiful.

I get screaming beetles (more of a mild screech than a scream).

Of course I’m not going to hurt them. For one thing, I’m not an awful human being. But also, hurting them would mean going near them, and that’s not happening. (Did I really need to say that setting fire to the garden was a joke?)

To those who’ve never seen one, I will happily run a stag beetle safari. Free stag beetle to take home with every purchase. (Again, kidding - I know you’re not supposed to move them)

To all the patronising posters, have you never had a phobia, or heard of one? Human beings aren’t only scared of things that can harm them, I’m sure you understand how it works. As soon as I hear the noise of one, my heart starts pounding. I’ve been awake much of the night worrying they’re in the laundry I couldn’t go and bring in because it was surrounded.

Love stag beetles - I imagine fairies attaching bridles and riding them.

I get the phobia though. I used to be petrified of spiders. To the point of tears but I did has others suggested and learnt about them. Now I am quite happy to share my house with them. I just give them names, say hello and let them be. I am queen spider putter outer at work.

I think the fairies would have a job staying on to be honest.

Op, yes, I'm like that with spiders. Fingers crossed they will move on soon.