Several insects frequently occur in our homes and feed on or infest the
foods we have stored in cupboards or other places. They also get into dog and
cat food, stuffed birds, animal hides, etc. The more prevalent pests infest our
flour and cereal products. We have included here the most common ones found in
Idaho. Good sanitation practices as well as good buying practices, storage, and
housekeeping are the best ways to avoid problems with these insects. For more
detailed information regarding control of insects infesting our food items,
refer to University of Idaho Current Information Series publication
#
850,
Controlling Stored-Food Pests in the Home.
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Lesser
Grain Borer- Both adults and larvae bore into grain kernels. Adults are
reddish-brown and about 3mm long. The head is bent underneath the body. Larvae
are white with a small brown head and short legs.
Saw-toothed grain beetles - Adults are about 3mm long and have tooth-like projections along
the side of the segment just behind the head. Flours and meals from cereal
products are favorite foods. Larvae are yellowish-white with a brown head.
Confused
flour beetle- This insect has been a pest of cereals since the time of the
pharaohs. It is about 3mm long and infests flour and meal type of products but
many others are also attacked. They can get into packages through very small
openings. Larvae are whitish tan with a brown head capsule.
Red
Flour beetle - Very similar to the confused flour beetle in appearance. It has
an abrupt antennal club of three segments compared to the 4-segmented gradual
club of the confused flour beetle. Larvae are almost identical. This insect
gives an off flavor to infested foods.
Flat
grain beetle About the smallest beetle to infest flour. It is flattened and
the long antennae make it easy to distinguish from the other beetles. It is very
common and found most often in grain and meal that are in poor condition.
White-marked
spider beetle This insect moves rapidly and is characterized by the white,
hairy patches on the back. It is reddish brown, about 4mm long with longs legs. It can be found
in large numbers under certain conditions.
California
spider beetle - The black color with conspicuous white spots distinguish this
insect. It is about 4-5mm long and not as common as the white-marked spider
beetle.
Carpet
beetles Most adult carpet beetles are about 2mm long and varied in color.
They can have several generations per year.
Black
carpet beetle This carpet beetle is completely black and about 3mm long.
There is only one generation per year with this insect.
Carpet
beetle larvae- Larvae are generally yellowish brown, appear segmented, and have
hairs on all the segments. The black carpet beetle larva has a tail of
hairs that distinguish it from the other carpet beetle larvae.
Indian
meal moth- Adults are easy to identify because of their wings that are silvery
or gray next to the body with the ends of the wings coppery colored. They are
about 12mm long with a wingspread of about 18mm.
Indian
meal moth larva- Immature Indian meal moths are dirty white caterpillars with
brown head capsules. They spin webs wherever they travel and feed. Foodstuff and
fecal pellets are found in the webbing.
Meal
moth This moth has a wingspread of about 1(25mm) and has characteristic
markings on the wings. Larvae look like the Indian meal moth larvae only larger.
They feed on a variety of products and prefer grains etc that are moist or in
poor condition.
Grain
mites - Mites are most often found in grain that has gotten wet or out of
condition. They are about ½ mm long, grayish white, and have long hairs growing
from the body. Large numbers can cause grain to smell bad.
German
cockroach - These insects are the most common household roach. They occur in
Idaho but are not as numerous as in other parts of the country. They are around
12mm long and live for many months. They can be found hiding during the day
under or around appliances, behind kitchen drawers, etc.
American
roach - The American roach is much larger than the German roach and not as
prevalent. Average length is about 25mm (1 inch). They like dry dog and cat food
as well as food left on the counters or unsealed in kitchen drawers.
Silverfish
- These primitive insects feed on foods as well as woolen items. They like dark,
warm, moist situations. Scales on the body give them their silvery appearance.
Adults are about 13mm long. Nymphs look just like them, only smaller. Silverfish
do not have wings.
Springtails
- These wingless insects also invade houses in large numbers. They do not cause
any damage but can be found in kitchens or other rooms where they come inside
from areas of high organic matter outside.