There is no question that larder beetles can be often puzzled with for other types of bugs found in the pantry. An adult larder beetle can be up to ¼ inch long. You are not able to see it, but they are covered with fine hairs, especially their legs. However, they can not only be completely solid but homogeneous in color.Īn adult larder beetle is either black or dark brown in color with the yellowish middle having dots on the back. They usually come loaded with a light gray to brown band around their midsection. Larder beetles are small in size, aside from being dark. They don’t eat as much as their young ones do, albeit adult pests fascinated by such food. These pests have a weakness for hanging meat, including sausage and ham. If truth be told, they not only will make a way into but nest in stored products, such as cheese or pet food. But, this vicious cravings or uncontrollable desire for food can cause these critters to scavenge on homes as well as other buildings where they will have a hard time feeding.īeing strong flyers, larder beetles are enticed by rotting flesh and decaying meat. Mostly, they feast upon any dead animal they come across, which not only includes animal hair but flesh too. However, they can also penetrate the house in early spring for laying their eggs.Īs mentioned above, these bugs play an imperative role when it comes to recycling, apart from being common in every nook and corner of the world. Usually found close to stored food items, furs, weathers, hides, and dog food, these pests ensure that they continue to exist in one’s home provided the condition is stable enough for them. These unwelcome pesky little creatures can be a real pain during the winter when they are more likely to live through the winter in homes. The infestation by larder beetles is quite a common occurrence in homes and businesses and can cause an adverse effect on both homeowners and those running a business. However, these insects are commonly found in homes, mills, livestock facilities, museums, and any place comprising an appropriate source for food. There is no denying the fact that the buying meat in small quantities, lack of proper home curing of meats and the use of refrigeration have drastically lessened the economic significance of this bug. Larder beetles, which are found in open-air, play an essential role not only in the dissection, but reprocessing of animal protein as well. These bugs nowadays are probably a pest in stored foodstuff and other items consisting of high protein content. Being a household bug, it is an extensive pest whose name comes from its presence in parched, cured meats that are stored at room temperature before freezing.
“But your heart does kind of sink when you find evidence of them.The larder beetle is not an uncommon pest. “They are not dangerous to people,” Kirby said. Leave the boric acid dust untouched for two hours after sprinkling it and then vacuum it up. Sprinkling boric acid on carpets, rugs or furniture will also kill remaining beetles. Several online sites devoted to pest removal, including The Bugman, a pest control company in the Pacific Northwest, also suggest washing contaminated fabric or pillows in hot water and detergent and wiping down any surfaces where you suspect carpet beetles to be hanging out with pure vinegar. If you find evidence of carpet beetles in your house, the best way to get rid of them is vacuuming the area where you say them and then steam cleaning the same area. Keep vigilant, Kirby said, and inspect fabrics and even taxidermied animals for holes or fraying that could be caused by the beetles. “The same thing with your seldom worn clothing items that have fur, feathers or are made of wool - keep them in sealed plastic bags or containers.” “Pantry items like flour, Bisquick, pasta, nuts, cereals or dried fruits should be kept in tight sealing containers like glass or rubber,” he said. The key to keeping carpet beetle larvae out of the house, Kirby said, is denying them their favorite food. “But the carpet beetle should really be on the suspect list.”
“Everyone blames the clothes moths when they pull something out of the cedar trunk and find holes in it,” Kirby said.