What you need to know about this beetle which people are finding in their Milton Keynes homes

    More and more people have been reporting sightings of this type of beetle in their Milton Keynes homes in the past few days - but what is it and are they dangerous?

    The beetle in question is a 'Devil's Coach Horse Beetle', and its natural habitat is to live in and around decaying matter.

    However, a number of people on a local Facebook group have reported finding them inside their homes across the city over the last few weeks, especially in the evening.

    One person commented: "I had one of these beasts in my kitchen the other day! I screamed!", with another saying "it’s striding around my front room like it pays rent. Massive great big thing!"

    The beetles are fast-moving, preferring to run along the ground rather than fly and are often mistaken for an earwig at first glance, but beware of getting too close.

    The RSPB advises: "If you disturb a Devil’s coach horse, it adopts an aggressive, scorpion-like position - it raises its rear end and opens its powerful jaws."

    "If it still feels threatened it squirts a foul-smelling fluid from its abdomen. Beware – this beetle can also give a painful bite."

    Have you seen the Devil's Coach Horse Beetle in your home in the last few weeks? Message us on Facebook or email news@mkfm.com.

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