Larder beetles are a common household pest that can quickly infest stored food items, causing damage and contamination. These beetles thrive in dark, cool areas and often gain entry to homes through cracks or crevices. Adult larder beetles lay eggs in food sources, and once the larvae hatch, they begin feeding on a variety of materials, which can lead to extensive damage in your home 1.
Understanding how to get rid of larder beetles is crucial for maintaining a clean and healthy living environment. In this article, we will discuss effective methods for larder beetle control, ranging from prevention measures to various removal techniques. With the right approach, you can safeguard your pantry and prevent future beetle infestations.
Understanding Larder Beetles
Life Cycle
Larder beetles undergo a complete metamorphosis with four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Adult larder beetles lay their eggs in food sources, which hatch into larvae that feed on the same food source. Once they are fully grown, they search for shelter to transform into pupae. During this stage, they can bore into wood or other soft materials up to 1/2 inches deep for protection (source).
Habits
Larder beetles predominantly feed on meat or meat by-products but can also survive on various organic materials. Infestations in homes are often due to infested dry dog and cat food or bird feed. They can also infest stored food products like rat or mouse baits (source).
Common Attraction Points:
- Dry pet food
- Bird feed
- Meat by-products
- Stored food products
Pros of Larder Beetles:
- Help in decomposition of organic materials
Cons of Larder Beetles:
- Contaminate stored food items
- Can bore into wood, causing damage
Here’s a comparison table of larder beetles and another common household pest.
| Larder Beetles | Carpet Beetles | |
|---|---|---|
| Food Preference | Meat, pet food | Fabric, carpets |
| Size | 1/4 to 3/8 inches | 1/16 to 1/8 inches |
| Damage Potential | Wood boring, food | Fabrics, upholstered furniture |
| Habitat | Stored food products | Carpets, wardrobes |
In conclusion, understanding the life cycle and habits of larder beetles is essential to effectively control and prevent infestations in the future.
Identifying Infestation Signs
Damaged Items
One sign of a larder beetle infestation is finding damaged items. These beetles are known for damaging:
- Hides and other animal products
- Dried meats
- Cheese
- Feathers
- Hair
- Horns and skin
- High protein foods, especially pet food1
Monitor these items regularly to spot any damage caused by larder beetles.
Physical Sightings
Another sign of infestation is the physical sighting of larder beetles, especially in large numbers. Areas to check for larder beetles include:
Make sure to inspect these areas if you notice a large number of adult beetles or larvae around your home.
Effective Prevention Methods
Proper Storage
- Store food items in air-tight containers.
- Use glass or sturdy plastic containers instead of paper or cardboard.
Proper storage is crucial in preventing larder beetle infestations. Ensure that you store food items in air-tight containers to keep beetles from reaching them. Using glass or sturdy plastic containers, rather than paper or cardboard, will provide extra protection.
Regular Cleaning
- Clean pantry shelves and cupboards regularly.
- Dispose of expired or infested food items promptly.
Regular cleaning is another essential prevention method. Keep your pantry shelves and cupboards clean, and be sure to dispose of expired or infested food items promptly. This will help reduce the chances of larder beetles finding suitable food sources in your home.
| Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Proper Storage | Prevents infestation | Requires air-tight containers |
| Regular Cleaning | Reduces food sources | May require more time |
Combining these methods will help create an environment that is less attractive to larder beetles, reducing the chances of an infestation in your home.
Elimination Techniques
Chemical Methods
- Insecticides: Apply registered insecticides to the infested areas. Be sure to follow the product’s guidelines.
- Bait traps: Utilize larder beetle-specific bait traps to attract and eliminate the insects.
| Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Insecticides | Efficient in killing larder beetles | May contain harmful chemicals |
| Bait traps | Targeted, safe for humans and pets | Time-consuming, may not be effective |
Non-Chemical Methods
- Cleaning: Keep kitchen and storage areas clean and free from food debris.
- Proper food storage: Store pantry items in sealed containers to prevent beetle access.
Examples:
- Vacuum regularly
- Wipe surfaces and shelves
- Dispose trash consistently
Characteristics of non-chemical methods:
- Eco-friendly
- Non-toxic
- Safe for humans and pets
A comparison of the two main non-chemical techniques is outlined in the table below.
| Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning | Effective in preventing secondary infestations | Requires consistent effort |
| Proper food storage | Keeps larder beetles away from food items | Investment in sealed containers might be needed |
Consider the above approaches based on your specific needs, preferences, and home environment.
Enlisting Professional Help
Hiring a professional pest control company can be an effective solution for larder beetle infestations. Professionals have the expertise and equipment to deal with these pests.
They typically offer services such as inspections, treatments, and follow-up consultations. For example, a pest control expert may:
- Identify infestation sources
- Use specialized insecticides
- Offer prevention tips
When choosing a professional, consider factors like reputation, experience, and cost. A comparison table can help you decide:
| Company | Reputation | Experience | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABC Pest Control | Excellent | 10 years | $$$ |
| XYZ Exterminators | Good | 5 years | $$ |
Some pros and cons of hiring professional help include:
Pros:
- Fast and efficient
- Guaranteed results
- Expert advice
Cons:
- Expensive
- Possible exposure to chemicals
- Temporary disruptions
In some cases, DIY methods may be sufficient for dealing with larder beetles. But for more severe or persistent infestations, enlisting professional help can ensure complete eradication and prevent future occurrences.
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Footnotes
8 Comments. Leave new
These larder beetlesare a pain every spring and fall the come into my house. They feed off the box elder bugs aroundmy home and they seem to be also attracted to moisture….they annoyong bc they do bite their bite marks are similar to bed bug bits 34 bites in a row.
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 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!!!!
These bugs crop up regularly in a livingroom or bedroom where a human picks at his or her skin and pieces drop on the floor or into furniture. The picking must stop to cut off their food source. Nothing else will work.
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.
We have what appears to be a larder bettle INFESTATION.. uhgg We have been dealing with them for the last 8 months.. every since we moved into our new house.. we have even highered professionals and even with them treating our issues we can NOT SEEM to get rid of these very real pest.. i wonder thou is there any other bug that appears to look exactally the same?? With our bettles we have NOT, NOT even once found them anywhere near any food source in our entire house.. we leave out dry catfood in a auto dispenser and our dog food sits under the dog dish TOTALLY easy to get to and most def. Is not sealed.. i have never found them or any signs of them in any human food souce either.. their favorite places to hang out are under the dishwasher. Also our 2 bathrooms, in both halls outside of these 2 bathrooms and lastly under the heat register along 1 wall in our front room where we have hard wood floors..oh i almost forgot that we have a empty mother inlaw apartment.. they seem to like to hide under and around my cardboard boxes that i have down there.. and in a dif basement that is also full of cardboard boxes.. the is nothing in these boxes that would be considered a food source for larder bettles.. and for the 1st time yesterday i found 1 of them flying like crazy around the kitchen.. we have tried desperately everything we can or have found to eliminate these nasty bettles.. I am at my wits end on what to do..