This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Grain Beetles

Have you ever opened your pantry, maybe to get out that pouch of oatmeal you’re wanting for breakfast, and find the package full of holes?  It looks more like someone used it for target practice!  The culprit, however, is more likely grain beetles.  They are one of several types of stored product pest, or pantry pest.

Grain beetles infest many common items such as cereal, flour, sugar, biscuit mixes, macaroni, rice, dried meats, dried fruits, spices, and pet food or birdseed.  The larvae is yellowish-white with a darker head and worm-like body.  Adults are reddish-brown and around 1/8 inch long or 2-3 mm. Females lay eggs singly or in clusters, and there can be as many as 7 generations per year.  They are also long living at 6-10 months and longer under the right conditions.  One type is the saw-toothed grain beetle which has saw-like projections on each side of it’s thorax.  These beetles do not bite or sting and will not damage the home or furniture.  However, food with evidence of grain beetles should be considered contaminated and discarded.

If you find larvae, adult beetles, or damaged packaging, get rid of the source.  Empty the entire pantry and clean thoroughly.  Before putting anything back in, inspect it closely.  These beetles can chew through packaging made from cardboard, paper, plastic, or cellophane.  They can also squeeze into unopened boxes, so opening boxes to inspect them is the only way to be sure you’re not putting infested items back in the pantry.

Find out what's happening in Daculawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

To help prevent an infestation from pantry pests, such as grain beetles, use the following tips.  Do not store items more than 2-4 months, if possible.  Try to purchase package sizes that can be used up in a short amount of time.  Inspect packages as you purchase them for any damages.  Store food in insect proof containers like screw top glass, heavy plastic, or metal.  Make sure all lids are tight fitting.  Do not allow crumbs to accumulate, as this will attract pests.  Placing items in the freezer for several days before placing in the pantry can also help prevent infestations.

We can help with any of your household pest needs! Feel free to call Mid-Ga Pest control for all of your pest control needs!

Find out what's happening in Daculawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Content Distribution Provided By Freskos Media an Atlanta Internet Marketing Company

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?