Stag beetle

[norsa]

Bit of a long shot but tomorrow ill be shifting some old wood from between my sheds. It was there when we moved in 13yrs ago and was rotting then. Perfect habitat for the stag to spend his 6years growing. Would i be likely to do him any harm?
Nick

 

[Peloquin]

Depends on what make/model of beetle and make of wood mate.

Also, is it a beetle or a grub?

 

[Crater Creator]

The Triumph part will have rusted away but the Volkswagen bit might still be salvageable.

 

[norsa]

Im only assuming there may be one in there.

 

[gordon stephenson]

Cant't beat this forum for being helpful, Every question studied and answered with concise advice!!!

 

[Peloquin]

Im only assuming there may be one in there.

Oh ok, be fine then.

 

[zx9]

Bit of a long shot but tomorrow ill be shifting some old wood from between my sheds. It was there when we moved in 13yrs ago and was rotting then. Perfect habitat for the stag to spend his 6 years growing. Would i be likely to do him any harm?
Nick

If you carefully relocate the rotten wood it / they will be ok, if you stick it on the bonfire it / they will not be ok.
I think I recall that they like moist rotten hard wood logs on or in soil, if it is old pallets, bits of 4x2 and ply I don't think they are so keen.
I would have a go at breaking up some of the wood, if you find grubs just re locate all of it, if you don't find anything then into the skip it goes.

I found a female Stag Beetle floating on her back, so fished her out of the plant pot and was rewarded by having six sets of hooks dug into my finger, it did not hurt but she was very difficult to remove.

 

[slim_boy_fat]

@norsa I'd take a rake and gently disturb the top layer(s) a bit - you'll be surprised how quickly something with that many legs can move when it feels threatened.

 

[500e]

Ahh she just did not want to be parted from her rescuer how sweet