Larder beetles are known to be common household pests that can infest various food sources and other organic materials. These beetles, scientifically named Dermestes lardarius, often thrive in areas rich with high-protein content, such as dried meats, pet food, and even bird nests source.
A common question people have about these insects is whether or not they can fly. While the ability to fly might not seem like a significant detail, it could affect the beetles’ capacity to infest different areas within homes and other structures. Knowing if larder beetles can fly will allow for proper preventative measures to be taken, ensuring a more effective approach towards eradication.
Larder Beetle Overview
Appearance and Characteristics
The larder beetle, scientifically known as Dermestes lardarius, is a common household pest. Adult larder beetles are about 3/8-inch long and black in color. They have a distinctive broad tan band with black spots running across their front portion, called elytra, which covers their wings. The antennae can be seen projecting from the head region. A key characteristic of the larder beetle is its oval-shaped body.
Some features of larder beetles include:
- Oval-shaped body
- Distinct color pattern
- 3/8-inch size for adults
Life Cycle of Larder Beetles
Larder beetles undergo a complete life cycle consisting of four stages:
- Eggs
- Larvae
- Pupae
- Adults
Adult larder beetles typically overwinter outdoors and indoors. They lay their eggs in various food sources, which provide nourishment for hatched larvae. Once larvae are fully grown, they search for shelter to transform into pupae. The entire process from egg to adult takes about 40-50 days.
Habitat and Food Sources
Larder beetles prefer habitats rich in organic materials. They are commonly found in animal products, such as hides, dried meats, cheese, and feathers. They can also infest dry dog and cat food, bird feed, and even the remains of animals.
Some common food sources for larder beetles are:
- Dried meats
- Cheese
- Pet food
- Animal hides and remains
Homes may experience infestations when these food sources are readily available. It’s essential to identify and dispose of the beetle’s food source to control their population effectively.
Larder Beetle Infestations
Signs and Causes of Infestations
Larder beetles (Dermestes lardarius) can infest a variety of materials in a household. Signs of an infestation include:
- Adult beetles flying near lights or windows
- Dead beetles found near the infestation source
- Larvae feeding on materials like animal products, fabrics, or even dead insects1
Common causes for infestations may include improperly stored food, particularly animal-based products, and a lack of proper sanitation.
Common Locations for Infestations
Larder beetles can be found in various locations of a household:
- Pantry: Beetles infest food items, such as cured meats (ham, bacon), cheese, or animal feed
- Storage areas: The beetles affect materials containing fur, hair, feathers, hides, dead insects, and natural fibers
- Wall voids: Adult beetles may overwinter in wall voids, while larvae search for a shelter to transform into pupae2
Preventing and Treating Larder Beetle Infestations
To prevent and treat larder beetle infestations, follow these steps:
- Inspection: Regularly inspect pantry items and storage areas for any signs of beetles or larvae
- Sanitation and cleaning: Keep pantry areas and storage spaces clean and dust-free. Dispose of heavily infested food and material items3
- Proper storage: Store food in tightly sealed glass, plastic, or metal containers4
- Pest control: If infestations persist or worsen, consider using professional pest control services
| Pros | Cons | Comments | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proper Storage | Easy to apply | Rarely used | Prevents |
| larder beetles | |||
| Sanitation | Easy to apply | Can be time-consuming | Reduces food |
| sculptures | |||
| Pest Control | Effective | Expensive | Needed in cases |
| of severe infestation attack | |||
| Inspection | Easy to check | Can miss bugs | Regular |
| inspection is key |
Larder Beetles and Other Pests
Similarities and Differences in Appearance and Behavior
Larder beetles and other pests such as rodents, flies, and ants can be a nuisance in homes and gardens. Here are a few key features of these pests:
- Larder beetles:
- Adult larder beetles can fly
- Larvae can bore into wood and other soft materials1
- Rodents:
- Can’t fly but are skilled climbers
- Gnaw on materials like wood and plastic
- Flies:
- Fast-flying insects
- Can transmit diseases in their food-seeking behavior
- Ants:
- Highly organized colonies
- Can carry comparatively large loads
Some pests infest stored food products, like larder beetles, grain beetles, and carpet beetles. Additionally, certain pests, such as mites and boxelder bugs, are most likely found in skin and other organic materials.
Managing Multiple Pest Infestations
Managing different pests at once may require different control methods. Here are some steps to handle multiple infestations:
- Identify the pests: Knowing the specific pests will help determine the right control methods.
- Inspect the infested areas: Check stored food, skin, and nesting materials to gauge the infestation size.
- Control measures:
- Rodents: Use traps or baits to control the population.
- Insects: Apply appropriate insecticides or introduce beneficial insects like lady beetles for natural control5.
- Mites: Maintain proper hygiene and use targeted miticides.
- Monitor: After implementing control measures, monitor the area for the success of the methods and any remaining pests.
| Pests | Control Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rodents | Traps & Baits | Effective if placed correctly | May require time to reduce population |
| Insects | Insecticides | Can control specific pests | May harm beneficial insects |
| Mites | Miticides & Hygiene | Reduces infestations | Requires regular cleaning and upkeep |
Natural and Chemical Control Methods
Using Natural Remedies
One way to control larder beetles is by using natural remedies, such as:
- Diatomaceous earth: A fine powder made of crushed fossils which can be applied in infested areas to eliminate beetles and larvae.
- Vinegar and bleach: Diluted solutions of vinegar or bleach can be used for cleaning infested storage areas, as they act as disinfectants.
- Maintaining low humidity and light: By keeping storage areas dry and well-lit, you can create an unfavorable environment for the beetles, hindering their growth and reproduction.
Applying Insecticides
Insecticides, such as pyrethrins, permethrin, and growth regulators, can also be used to control larder beetles. Below is a comparison table of these insecticides.
| Insecticide | Usage | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pyrethrin | Spray in infested areas | Low toxicity, rapid effect | Not so long-lasting |
| Permethrin | Apply to surfaces where larder beetles are present | Long-lasting, cost-effective | Moderate toxicity, could harm beneficial insects |
| Growth regulator | Apply to infested sites, affects larvae development | Inhibits beetle reproduction, long-lasting | Slower effect, needs to be combined with other insecticides |
Recognizing Larder Beetles
To manage larder beetle infestations in an effective manner, it is essential to identify their characteristics:
- Adults are brown or black beetles, 1/4 to 3/8 inches in length
- They have a grayish-yellow band with six dark spots on their wing covers
- Larvae are dark brown and hairy, about 1/2 inch long when fully grown
Understanding their lifecycle, reproduction patterns, overwintering habits, and dietary preferences as scavengers and dermestid beetles helps in controlling their populations.
Entomology plays a crucial role in finding effective natural and chemical control methods to deal with these insects. By addressing larder beetle infestations both indoors and outside, you can protect your storage areas from harm.
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Larder Beetles in Unique Settings
Larder Beetles in Taxidermy and Entomology Collections
Larder beetles are known to thrive on high protein food sources, which makes them a potential threat to taxidermy and entomology collections. These beetles can cause damage by burrowing into the preserved specimens and consuming the organic material within. Some common signs of larder beetle infestation in these settings include:
- Small holes in the specimens
- Presence of larvae or adult beetles on or near the specimens
To prevent larder beetles in these collections, ensure proper storage conditions and regularly inspect for any signs of infestation.
Dealing with Larder Beetles in Animal Feed and Pet Food
Larder beetles are known to infest animal feed and dry pet food, such as dog food. In homes, pet food infestations often originate from infested bird feed or rodent baits. To deal with this type of infestation, consider the following steps:
- Carefully inspect the food for signs of larder beetles
- Store pet food and animal feed in sealed containers
- Regularly clean the storage areas and feeding spaces
Furthermore, some pros and cons of using pest control methods to deal with larder beetles in these settings include:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Effectively eliminates larder beetles | May require professional assistance, increasing costs |
| Prevents potential trigger of allergies | Some methods might involve chemicals that pose a risk to pets |
In conclusion, it is essential to remain vigilant and proactive when dealing with larder beetles, especially in unique settings like taxidermy and pet food storage. Regular inspection, proper storage, and timely intervention can help prevent and control larder beetle infestations.
Footnotes
- https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/files/2014/11/Larder-Beetles.pdf ↩ ↩2
- https://extension.umn.edu/product-and-houseplant-pests/larder-beetles ↩
- https://extension.umaine.edu/ipm/ipddl/publications/5026e/ ↩
- https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/larder-beetles/ ↩
- Lantana and Verbena: How to Combat Insects and Mite Pests ↩
29 Comments. Leave new
I can confirm that larder beetles will feast on dead critters. About 10 years ago mice got into our house through a badly sealed pet door, and the resulting infestation took pretty much forever to get rid of – the acquisition of our cat was a direct result of our rodent battle. Anyways, periodically we would find perfect mouse skeletons under furniture, and every time there would be a cluster of larder beetle larval exuviae mixed in with the remaining bits of fur. We have since witnessed the same “food chain” evidence when the cat, who is still with us, manages to sneak some bit of unfortunate prey into the house, to be found much later in a corner of the basement. Very efficient scavengers, those little bug-gers!
Sadly, they also seem to have a fondness for stored foods and museum specimens, depending upon the species.
I am seeing the same bugs in my house every since i changed my windows. I am not from Alaska but live in NY. How can you get rid of them. I have tried everything.
im finding these in my bed why
Over the past two months we began finding these around our house. We have cleaned the house from top to bottom. If these bugs are attracted to water this could have been what attracted them to our house when we had a shower leak. We’ve now caulked around the shower, are making sure we wipe up well after showers, (etc..) and also had a repairman fix the leaky shower head.
Is there any spray or anything that would be ‘extra’ efficient? I would appreciate any feedback.
Thanks!
Pam N
Anchorage, AK
#waterbeetles #solutionstobugproblem #ridmyhouseofbugs
I have been asking the same questions. They also go after dry food esp dog food
I have tried the same things you did. I did see some spray on Amazon but no good reviews. If you find out let me know. Thanks
I often find these under a pile of laundry or in the corner where the dig hair gathers. They are not in my pantry stuff… what else could they feed on?
I just discovers these bugs.
They were just crawling in the floor.
It says they get in food. I never saw one in food.
What if I ate one? yuk
Do these larder beetles bite humans? My son is being bitten every night and we have found no site of bed bugs.
We are going crazy trying to figure this out, doing laundry, cleaning, fogging, and more!
After fogging, this is the only bug I found dead and found a live one on the couch this morning.
Help!!!!
We have heard it said that “if it has a mouth, it can bite” but to the best of our knowledge, Larder Beetles do not bite humans.
Wondering if you found the cause of the bites? We have been experiencing the same thing. Only thing I see around are Larder Beetles and their Larvae
I found a few these beetles a few months ago and they are now reappearing. I got some used furniture from a friend of mine who has multiple dogs. Could they have come from that? I also live in a 2nd story apartment and the very elderly lady underneath me as a bird. I read that like pet food and such. I don’t have any pets and my food is all.sealed up in cupboards. Could they be coming up through the walls? What would be the most likely scenario based on that information? They seem to like the bathroom and try going into a small gap between the seal of door casing and wall. I don’t know, I just want them gone!
please help us identify some of these insects we’ve found. they hav been found virtually everywhere in my home. they’ve been on our hair, in our nose, on our eyebrows, in my mouth, even had one extracted from what I believed to be a pigsty until I removed it using sterile tweezers from the infected area of my lower eye lid.
Have you checked into bird lice?
Plz tell me more. My entire family is experiencing every symptom you have explained. Some people suggested it may be morgellons disease. I would like to know if you still are experiencing these symptoms. I can see your comment was left quite some time ago. I’m at wits end.
how do I attach pictures?
Images cannot be attached to comments. You can submit images for identification using the standard form on the Ask What’s That Bug? link on our site.
I think someone is mistaken, these larder beetles do something to break the skin. Whether they bite or their hairs leave marks. I have not seen any other types of bugs in my house other than more recently box elders. I think maybe the fact that more than one person thinks/claims that they have gotten bitten, this matter should be experimented a little further. I know that im not crazy. I also have never really seen them or their larva carcass in my pantry only where there is moisture. Also if they are attracted to shedded skin then maybe they should be re evalutated and put into the category as a cousin to a beg bug. just saying more than one person, a few here are saying they have gotten bit.
I am seconding this motion.
I’ve been bitten by something the last couple of weeks. At first I thought it was mosquitoes or something similar. Then I thought it was some kind of restless legs thing. There is a sharp sting that immediately goes away when I flinch.
Well, now it’s 03.30 in the morning where I live, I was woken up by getting one of those “stings”. Instead of just glancing at the foot-end, I did a proper search around the foot end of the bed. I found one small/young Dermestes Lardarius at the sheet, then I searched a bit more, and found a further 3.
There was some in the kitchen a few years ago, but I got rid of them after a thorough cleaning. Last year I got a (free roaming)cat, and I think this is the reason. Both because there is always dry food in(and a little around) the cats bowl in the kitchen, and because she catches mice/birds. To top it off, she likes to drag the catch into the bed if I’m not around to shoo her away.
Correction…I have seen them in my pantry the larva and the carcasses of their larava….just found a bunch climbing around in my hermit crabs cage the larvae that is. They were feeding off the baby dried shrimp. They make my skin crawl. I know they bite…I swear to it.
I just got bit by one of these they do bite
Thats what i think as well this bugs bite so what are they really
I’ve gotten bit by one today!! I felt a sting on my leg I pulled the covers back and there was the beetle. It’s been about three hours I still have a inflammation and its still painful
We never saw any signs of the bug until we had an exchange student from Germany live with us. Shortly after she arrived her bedroom seemed to become a breeding ground for them. That was over 16 years ago. Professional extermination has diminished that population drastically to where we only see a few here and there, but it’s never been around food items and we don’t have much trouble with mice or box elder bugs. We do have those stinky Asian beetles. Would they feed on those stinky things?
Can larder beetles swim, or will they drown?
they can swim unfortunately
I know this feed is a couple of years old but I came across it whilst looking to see if there are any symptoms or reactions when bitten by a Larder Beetle as I was bitten by one about an hour or so ago! I turn my bed down to air it everyday & didn’t see anything in my bed when remaking it. I had been in bed about an hour when I felt a sharp sting! I threw the covers back & jumped out of bed & when I looked there was a larder beetle in my bed!It bit me on the back of my thigh about mid way & I’m just a bit concerned as my leg has now started with a weird like achy, tingly, pins & needles. I was just wondering if anyone else who has been bitten by this beetle if they had any symptoms or reactions?
I have gotten bit by one June 21 2019 and that Sunday the 23rd i was in the emergency room my right arm was swollen and it itched terribly,,it was hard in spots and very hot it hurt my diagnosis was cellulitis staff infection so you do need to look into them deeper on what they can do to you as I said they do bite !!! I’m on antibiotics now.
I had meat delivered to my house a few days ago and the delivery carton was in my living room. I was working around the box and got bitten by a Larder Beetle – an hour ago! Yes, I confirmed it as The Larder beetle AND YES, They do bite!!