GRAIN BEETLES
GRAIN BEETLE EXTERMINATION
Have you found your grains and cereals infested? Trouble with nasty invaders in your bins and cupboards? Have your supplies been devoured by these tiny bugs?
If grain beetles are causing you a lot of discomfort, we are your solution! At AKL Exterminateur we guarantee a complete elimination of this pernicious pest.
DATA SHEET GRAINAKL EXTERMINATEUR AT YOUR DISPOSAL FOR ERADICATING GRAIN BEETLES
Small, opportunistic and very hungry. Such are grain beetles, one of the most common invaders in Quebec. These tropical insects that were exported are the bane of warehouses and pantries. They are capable of invading every warehouse, bag and container in search of food.
And as their name suggests, they love grains. These insects are not harmful, do not transmit diseases, do not bite or sting. However, they are very annoying pests that can damage and contaminate all your stored food. A real headache!
If you are already dealing with this annoying pest and want to eradicate it, then you are in the right place! Hire the most effective domestic pest control services at AKL Exterminateur! We are the most qualified pest exterminators in all of Quebec.
Our company is committed to eliminating any grain beetle infestation in your residential or commercial property! And so you can recognize your enemy, let’s learn a little about this grain-eating insect.
At AKL Exterminateur, our priority is to control any insects and rodents to restore well-being and tranquility to you and your loved ones!
GRAIN BEETLE DATA SHEET, WHAT DOES THIS INSECT LOOK LIKE?
The grain beetle belongs to the large family Cucujoidea. Their body is elongated and flattened. They are really tiny, measuring between 2 to 3 mm. Their two antennae are club-shaped and on each side of the thorax they have 6 protrusions like beaks or saw teeth.
They are light brown or dark brown in color. They have quite prominent eyes, six legs, pointed heads and a kind of surrounding hairiness. They are often confused with other insects that consume grains and cereals, such as weevils.
LIFE AND REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE
The life cycle of these insects consists of the following stages: eggs, larvae, pulps and adults. Their life expectancy is short (10 months) but they reproduce on a large scale, with females depositing around 375 oval eggs in their lifetime. Frightening!
Once the eggs are laid in a prepared food source, in cracks or furniture, the larvae emerge within 10 days. Heat and humidity greatly influence their growth. They then metamorphose as cocoons until they develop into sexually mature adults in 2 months.
And the worst thing is that several generations of beetles can breed per year! And to ensure their survival, the females lay the larvae inside the grains or in the food directly.
WHAT DO GRAIN BEETLES EAT?
As their name suggests, these beetles are grain lovers, although their diet is more extensive. They eat all kinds of flour, pasta, bread, cereals and other processed or packaged foods. They also prefer seeds and nuts.
They will infest every pantry, warehouse and storage room at all costs. They also leave a foul-smelling secretion that will make your stored grains and cereals unfit for consumption. They can even eat chocolate, sugar, tobacco and pet food.
WHERE ARE GRAIN BEETLES FOUND?
The favorite place of these tiny insects is, precisely, in all the places where you store your food. That is to say, in all those structures such as warehouses, cupboards, domestic pantries, warehouses, cellars, etc. They are also present in cargo ships and other means of transport.
Their favorite hiding places are also cupboards and all kinds of grocery stocks. Their flattened bodies, small size and infallible jaws allow them to invade your pantries with ease. They are capable of tearing through paper, cardboard and even plastic.
WHY HAVE I BEEN INVADED BY GRAIN BEETLES?
It is common for these insects to infiltrate properties through contaminated articles, infested products or deposits with their eggs. Many mass infestations occur on supermarket shelves, in stores or in the same warehouses where food is produced.
When you bring products into your home through packages, bags, boxes or other packaging, you indirectly bring the pest with you. And since they are very tiny insects, they can hardly be distinguished with the naked eye (especially the pale-colored larvae).
Of course, the problems start when the beetles develop and find the food reserves on your property. Once they spread, they will quickly infest other packaged or bagged products, ruining many of your supplies in the process.
HOW TO IDENTIFY A GRAIN BEETLE INFESTATION?
Recognizing the presence of these insects can be a bit difficult because of their size and color. However, once the infestation has grown too large, they will be visible crawling on your food bags or packaging. They may also appear on countertops or shelf surfaces.
In other cases, you may notice their eggs and larvae in cracks, poorly sealed containers and food. It is common to find open bags and boxes with holes in them. In addition, a very recognizable sign of these bugs is that infested products tend to overheat.
HOW TO ERADICATE A GRAIN BEETLE INFESTATION?
If you have found one or more of the signs of infestation mentioned above, then it’s time to act! To eradicate these opportunistic intruders that prey on your supplies, there are different methods and treatments that you can apply yourself.
But in case the infestation has gotten out of control, the best thing to do is to call a pest control company like us, AKL Exterminateur. Our comprehensive services are the best in all of Quebec for the extermination of household pests. So let’s review some ways to get rid of them:
1-DISCARD ALL INFESTED FOODS
Once a product or package has been invaded by beetles, you should dispose of it immediately to prevent further spread. You should inspect each product in your pantries or cupboards for the presence of these bugs.
If you can find them, you can heat or freeze products and packaging at extreme temperatures. But in the event that the food can no longer be saved, dispose of it in sealed bags or airtight containers. Be sure not to leave any packages unattended or unchecked.
2-APPLY TRAPS AND INSECTICIDES
You can purchase various over-the-counter insecticides, traps and insect growth regulators. Try not to use these products directly on food or near non-infested food. You should also place these insecticides near cracks or crevices, as these are potential nests.
Remember to keep these products out of the reach of your children or pets. Avoid mixing them to prevent unnecessary contamination.
If you want to get the best authorized products against the annoying grain beetles, you can find them on our website!AKL Exterminateur offers you a select catalog with the most effective pesticides on the market, don’t hesitate to take a look by clicking on the link!
In the case of extreme infestations, it may be necessary to contact a pest control specialist to completely eradicate the insects. To avoid misapplication, call your local pest control professional.
3-HIRE QUALIFIED EXTERMINATORS
In case of extreme infestations, don’t hesitate to contact us! As AKL Exterminateur we are the most recognized pest control company in Quebec! Our exterminators will completely eradicate the grain beetles that terrorize your pantries.
HOW TO PREVENT THE APPEARANCE OF GRAIN BEETLES?
- Grain beetles are very inconspicuous and silent bugs. You don’t even notice their presence until the infestation has grown. Therefore, to avoid a potential infestation of these undesirable insects, as AKL Exterminateur we recommend you some preventive tips that you can apply in your property. Let’s review what they are!
- Regularly inspect your pantries, cupboards and kitchen.
- Pay special attention to all packaging and bags of grains, cereals and pasta wrappers.
- Check that all boxes of your supplies are tightly sealed.
- Check your containers (glass, plastic or other material) for cracks or holes.
- Properly store all groceries in airtight containers, as well as your pet food.
- Vacuum and clean frequently the places and corners where you store your food.
- Discard all infested or larvae-infested containers.
- Buy grains, cereals, spices and dry foods in small quantities so that they do not spoil or infest.
- If possible, store your supplies in freezers or refrigerators.
- Whenever you buy for your pantry, check packages and items thoroughly for insect contamination.
