Stored Product Pests E 37 W
PURDUE EXTENSION
Stored Product Pests E-37-W
Department of Entomology
INSECT PESTS OF HOME STORED FOODS
Linda J. Mason and Timothy J. Gibb, Extension Entomologists
Many kinds of cereal products and other foods stored GRAIN AND FLOUR BEETLES
in kitchen cabinets or elsewhere in the home may become Sometimes collectively called "bran bugs," these
infested with insects or other organisms commonly reddish-brown beetles are usually less than 1/8 inch
referred to as "pantry pests." Practically all dried food long. Their small, wormlike larvae (growing stages) are
products commonly found in the home are susceptible, yellowish-white with brown heads. Larvae of the first four
including birdseed and dry pet foods. Pantry pests eat or species illustrated are elongate and tubular; those of the
contaminate food, thus making it unfit for humans. They latter two species are somewhat C-shaped in appearance
may also be annoying, in that they often leave the infested and appear rather hairy. The larvae are usually found in
food and crawl or fly about the house. To eliminate infested material, whereas adult beetles often crawl about
infestations, it is necessary to identify the pest and then the kitchen or other areas as well as feed in the infested
find and destroy or treat infested materials. Listed and material.
illustrated below by groups are the most common pests
of stored food products in Indiana.
Cigarette Beetle
Confused Flour Beetle
Drugstore Beetle
Red Flour Beetle
Saw-Toothed Grain Beetle
NOTE: Indicates relative size through this whole publication
Insect Pests of Home Stored Foods — E-37-W
2
DERMESTID BEETLES
SPIDER BEETLES
Members of this family are generally scavengers Several species of spider beetles (long legs and a
and feed on a great variety of products of both plant general spider-like appearance) may be found infesting all
and animal origin including leather, furs, skins, dried types of stored food products. Both the C-shaped, grub-
meat products, woolen and silk materials, cheese and
like larvae and the adults feed on the infested material.
cereal grain products. Dermestids may be divided into
three groups based on the type of food preferred. Larder
beetles prefer products of animal origin, such as dried
meats and cheese. Only occasionally are they found in
food materials of plant origin. Carpet beetles also prefer
products of animal origin but may be found throughout
the house feeding on carpets, upholstery, clothing, and
even on accumulations of lint. Their invasion of stored
food products is more or less accidental. Cabinet beetles
prefer cereal grain products and are the most common
pantry pests of the group. Larval stages of these beetles
Brown Spider Beetle
American Spider Beetle
do most of the damage. Adults are thought to feed mainly
on flower pollen outdoors but may feed on stored products GRAIN WEEVILS
to some extent.
These beetles, which have long snouts, feed primarily
on stored whole grain but may feed to some extent on
other plant matter. Their larvae are small, white, legless
grubs that feed and develop inside individual kernels.
Larder Beetle and Larva
Granary Weevil
Rice Weevil
FLOUR MOTHS
These are small moths with a wingspan of about 1/2
inch. Of the two more common species, the Indianmeal
moth's forewings have a coppery color on the outer two-
thirds and whitish-gray at the basal (head) end, while the
Mediterranean flour moth's forewings are a pale gray with
transverse wavy black lines. The larvae of both species
are pinkish-white and web together the materials (grain
Black Carpet Beetle and Larva
products) in which they develop. The adult moths fly
about the house near the site of the infestation, but are
non-feeding. The mature larvae may also leave their food
and crawl about cupboards, walls, and ceilings looking
for a place to pupate.
Cabinet Beetle and Larva
Mediterranean Flour Moth
Indianmeal Moth
3
Insect Pests of Home Stored Foods — E-37-W
ANGOUMOIS GRAIN MOTH
PREVENTION
These are tiny moths similar in size and color to clothes The following procedures will help prevent
moths. They may be seen flying about the house in the infestations.
daytime, whereas clothes moths shun light. The larvae
develop within kernels of grain such as popcorn. Adult 1. Purchase dried food in packages that can be used
moths do not feed.
up in a short time. Keep foods in storage less than two to
four months, if possible. Use older packages before newer
ones, and opened packages before unopened ones.
2. When purchasing packaged foods, be certain that
the containers are not broken or unsealed. Check the
packaging date to be assured of the freshness of the
food. Packages with clear plastic or wax paper coverings
should be checked for the presence of insects. (Foods
Angoumois Grain Moth
are sometimes infested before being brought into the
home.)
3. Store dried foods in insect-proof containers, such
as screw-top glass, heavy plastic, or metal containers.
BEAN AND PEA WEEVILS
This will prevent entry or escape of insects. Ordinary
These are brownish-colored, short, stout-bodied metal kitchen canisters are generally not tight enough to
beetles flecked with patches of black, gray, and white. exclude insects. Some plastic containers with very tight
The larvae develop within dried beans and peas.
fitting lids may be acceptable. Cardboard, paper, or plastic
wrapping will not prevent insect infestations.
4. Storing dried foods in a home freezer will prevent
pests from developing.
5. Keep food storage areas clean and do not allow
crumbs or food particles to accumulate, as exposed food
Bean Weevil
will attract insects. Cleanliness is also important in areas
where pet food and birdseed are stored.
STEPS IN CONTROLLING BEETLES AND FLOUR
MISCELLANEOUS PESTS
MOTHS
1. Determine sources of infestation by carefully
Mites & Psocids
examining all susceptible foods. Properly dispose of
A number of other pests, such as tiny scavenger mites any that are heavily infested. Small amounts of highly
and book-lice, may also infest stored food products. susceptible foods can be kept in the refrigerator.
This is particularly true if the food is stored under moist 2. If infested material has further value or if infestation
conditions.
is questionable, heat the material in shallow plans in the
oven at 130ºF for at least 30 minutes or place in a deep-
Grain Mite
freeze at 0ºF for four days.
3. Empty and vacuum cabinets and shelves to pick up
Psocid
loose infested material; then wash them with soap and
hot water.
4. Routine use of insecticides within food storage areas
such as pantries and cabinets is not recommended and
normally will give little additional control in the absence
Foreign Grain Beetle
of an extensive cleaning program. Some household
This robust, brown beetle can occasionally be found formulations of pyrethrins are labeled for use as crack and
feeding on moist or moldy grain, but is more likely found crevice treatments near food storage areas. There are also
in newly constructed homes where the wood has not some formulations of pyrethroid insecticides that allow
completely dried. Given time, this beetle should disappear general use in the home and may help manage insects
on it's own.
that are widely dispersed. Never allow insecticides to
come in direct contact with food or food utensils.
Remove all food and utensils during insecticide treatment
to avoid accidental contamination. Treatment of cracks
and crevices is more effective since insects may hide in
Foreign Grain Beetle
these locations. Always read and follow label directions
when using pesticides! This is extremely important when
Insect Pests of Home Stored Foods — E-37-W
4
treatments are made around foodstuffs or food handling PHEROMONE TRAPS
areas. Only products labeled specifically for use around Although not recommended for pest elimination in
food storage areas may be used for controlling insect the home, pheromone traps are readily available in retail
pests around areas where food is stored.
stores for the Indianmeal moth (flour moths) and some
5. If pesticides are applied, cover shelves with clean beetles. Pheromone traps designed for the Indianmeal
fresh paper or foil before replacing food or cooking utensils, moth usually only capture males (not females) and will
etc.
not attract beetles. They will not eliminate an infestation,
6. Avoid spillage and keep storage spaces clean.
only sanitation and removal of infested products will
7. Control moths or beetles flying around indoors by
accomplish complete control.
using a "flying insect" household aerosol insecticide. Total Use pheromone traps only after the source of the
release aerosols containing synergized pyrethrins are also infestation has been removed to detect male moths that
available for this use.
may remain in the house. Pheromones are chemicals (in
Insects infesting ornaments and decorations made this case a sex attractant) produced by an organism to
from plant or animal products can be killed by placing
affect the behavior of other members of the same species.
the items in a freezer for three or four days. Insects in The sex pheromone attracts adult male moths into the
these items may also be killed by placing them in airtight trap where they get stuck on the sticky sides. Moth traps
containers along with aerosol fogs of the insecticides
designed to attract both sexes are available but must be
mentioned above. Leave the treated container closed combined with excellent sanitation for satisfactory results.
for at least eight hours. Retreatment may be necessary Combination traps (moths and beetles) are sometime
if all insects are not killed. Be careful when using plastic
available in certain local markets. Beetle aggregation
containers as some chemicals may react adversely with pheromone and food attractants are combined with
certain plastic materials. Pretesting the container with the moth pheromone to create multiple species traps. These
insecticide to be used is always a sound practice.
traps are most effective for monitoring the effectiveness
Caution -- if insects continue to appear, check other of your sanitation program, rather than control.
rooms in the home for possible sources. Tree seeds blown
To monitor, place the traps in the area of a previous
into ventilators or around windows may harbor these infestation and check them weekly. Most traps remain
pests. Dermestids (carpet beetles) will develop in many effective for about 3 months. Whenever you catch a new
products, including feathers, silk, wool, fur, stuffed animal batch of moths in traps, it is time to inspect packages
skins, dead insects, lint, and many other materials.
again.
If insect problems persist, seek help from a commercial
pest control manager.
READ AND FOLLOW ALL LABEL INSTRUCTIONS. THIS INCLUDES DIRECTIONS FOR USE, PRECAUTIONARY STATE-
MENTS (HAZARDS TO HUMANS, DOMESTIC ANIMALS, AND ENDANGERED SPECIES), ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS,
RATES OF APPLICATION, NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS, REENTRY INTERVALS, HARVEST RESTRICTIONS, STORAGE
AND DISPOSAL, AND ANY SPECIFIC WARNINGS AND/OR PRECAUTIONS FOR SAFE HANDLING OF THE PESTICIDE.
Revised 7/2009
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