Stored Product Pests

This form of pest control includes a thorough inspection to properly identify which one of the many stored product pests that have been introduced into a structure via various means. Proper inspection, identification and preparation prior to various treatment solutions are critical for desired control and elimination. The following pests are common to the Southeast Texas, Southwest Louisiana, Gulf Coast region.

Almond Moth

Larva Size: 1/2-5/8” Color: Dirty white/Pale gray Moth Wingspread: 9/16 -7/8” Color: Molted Gray The Almond Moth gets its common name from being a serious pest on almonds. It’s larva usually lives inside a dense silken gallery amongst the food material and this tube gets filled with frass. With heavy infestations, the larvae usually leave the food material to pupate on the walls of the storage areas. The adults cause no damage and their emergence reaches its peak around dusk. Worldwide dried fruits are the preferred food, especially figs and dates. However it does … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Moths, Stored Product Pests

Angoumois Grain Moth

Larva Size: 1/4" Color: White Moth Wingspread: 1/2 -5/8” Color: Pale yellowish brown The Angoumois Grain Moth gets its common name because it was first reported destroying grain in this French province. It requires a whole kernel or caked material for development. In the U.S. it is considered second only to granary and rice weevils as a pest of stored grain. This pest is active at low temperatures and can cause considerable damage in the winter. Infested grain has a sickening smell and taste which makes it unpalatable. The moths leave a lot of debris on top of infested grain. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Moths, Stored Product Pests

Cigarette Beetle

Larva Size: 1/16-1/8” Color: White Wingspread: 1/16 -1/8” Shape: Long/Oval Color: Light brown The cigarette beetle gets its common name because it attacks tobacco wherever it is stored. It attacks a host of items such as paprika, dry dog food, beans, biscuits, chickpeas, cigars, cigarettes, cocoa beans, coffee beans, cottonseed, dates, dried banana, dried cabbage, dried carrot, dried fruits, drugs, flour, dried flowers, ginger, grains, herbarium specimens, herbs, peanuts, pepper, raisins, rice, yeast, seeds, spices, furniture stuffing, bookbinders paste and books, and even … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Beetles, Stored Product Pests

Confused Flour Beetle

Larva Size: 1/8-1/4” Color: White/Yellowish Wingspread: 1/8” Shape: Segmented Color: Reddish brown The confused flour beetle apparently got its common name because of the confusion regarding its identity. It is one of the most important pests of stored products found in the home and in grocery stores. These beetles are unable to feed on whole kernels or undamaged grain. They attack grains and grain products, peas, beans, shelled nuts, dried fruits, spices, milk chocolate, drugs, snuff, cayenne pepper, and herbarium, insect and other museum specimens. They are attracted to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Beetles, Stored Product Pests

Drugstore Beetle

Larva Size: 1/16-1/8” Color: White Wingspread: 1/16-1/8” Shape: Segmented Color: Reddish brown to brown The drugstore beetle got its common name because of its being a serious pest of stored herbs used as medicine in early drug stores. It attacks a host of items that include any household food and spice as well as such things as drugs, hair, horn, leather, and museum specimens. Most commonly attacked are bread, flour, meal, breakfast foods, and condiments such as red pepper. It is also a pest of books and manuscripts. Adults can fly and they are attracted to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Beetles, Stored Product Pests

Granary Weevil

Larva Color: White with dark head Wingspread Size: about 1/8-1/4” Color: Shinning Reddish brown The granary weevil has been a major pest for centuries. It is confined to stored grain and is primarily transported by man. The larva typically requires a whole kernel for development but can develop in caked grain material. It attacks all kinds of grains and grain products. When disturbed, it draws up to its body and plays “opossum”. Adults are not attracted to light. Prevention: Good sanitation is the key along with the immediate transfer and storage of products packaged in … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Stored Product Pests, Weevils

Indian Meal Moth

Size: 1/2” Shape: Elongated, oval Color: Dirty White (but may vary) Indianmeal Moths are the most common stored insect in homes and grocery stores. The adult can be mistaken for clothes moths that will not cause damage, while the larvae wonder about finding places to feed and pupate. These larvae are surface feeders and like grains or grain like products, dried fruits, flour, cornmeal, powdered milk, chocolate, dried red peppers, dry dog food, bird feed, graham crackers and can breed in shelled or ear corn. Indianmeal Moths are attracted to light where food is stored like … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Moths, Stored Product Pests

Red Flour Beetle

Larva Size: 1/8-1/4” Color: White but tinged yellowish Shape: 3-segmented Color: Reddish brown The red flour beetle gets its common name from its coloration and its habit of infesting flour. It is one of the most found pests of stored products in the home and grocery stores. These beetles are unable to feed on whole kernels or undamaged grain. They attack grains and grain products, peas, beans, shelled nuts, dried fruits, spices, milk chocolate, drugs, snuff, cayenne pepper, and herbarium, insect, and other museum specimens. They are attracted to flour of high moisture … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Beetles, Stored Product Pests

Rice Weevil

Rice Weevil Size: 1/8” Long Color: Reddish Brown usually w/four faint reddish-yellowish paler markers Rice Weevils are considered stored product pests. They are known for infesting fields of grains, are known to fly and are attracted to light. They thrive in warm climates, and feed on corn, wheat, rice, beans, nuts, cereals, rye, buckwheat, stored cotton, and wheat products of all kinds, grapes, apples and pears.A female will bore a hole into the kernel of grain and lay an egg then seal the opening with a gelatinous material. They can lay as many as 300 to 400 … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Stored Product Pests, Weevils