Thank you so much for sharing this vivid (and totally relatable) nighttime encounter in the bathroom! That bang against the lamp is unmistakable – and yes, it really does make you jump.
You’ve already done half the work by figuring out it’s not a cockchafer. Let me confirm your identification, explain why it was in your bathroom, and—most importantly—tell you what to do (and what not to do) if you find another one.
✅ First the good news: The May beetle is harmless to you.
First, take a deep breath. The cockchafer ( Melolontha melolontha ), sometimes also called “May beetle” or “Doodlebug”, is neither dangerous to humans nor to pets .
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It doesn’t bite or sting. The pincers on its head? They’re for eating plant leaves, not for pinching people.
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It is non-toxic. No poison, no irritation.
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It doesn’t infest houses. It’s an insect that lives outdoors and accidentally flew into the house because it was attracted by the light in the bathroom.
So why did it choose your bathroom in particular? You’ve probably already guessed: light .
🪲 Why was it in your bathroom?
May beetles are nocturnal and strongly attracted to light sources – especially white or bright light. The light in your bathroom, reflected off the shiny tiles and porcelain, acted like a beacon.
They also appear in late spring (April–May) for their short flight period as adults, which lasts only 4–6 weeks. During this time, the males fly noisily at dusk and into the night in search of females. This is when they are most likely to accidentally fly into a lit room through an open window or even down a chimney.
Her bathroom offered all the ideal conditions:
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A bright light is on at night ✅
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An open window or a gap around a ventilation opening ✅
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Warm, humid air (which they find inviting) ✅
He wasn’t looking for a new home. He was simply lost.
