The CES office has received several reports of small insects invading homes over the past couple of weeks. These little critters are a pantry bug called the larder beetle (Dermestes lardarius), which is a very common and widespread household pest. The insect’s name comes from it’s presence in dried, cured meats stored at room temperature prior to refrigeration. Larder beetles are member of the carpet beetle family (Dermestidae).
Adult larder beetles usually overwinter outdoors in protected place. Outdoors the life cycle of this insect is regulated by the seasons: indoors it may breed continuously throughout the year. In spring adults are attracted to areas that have suitable food. During the spring and early summer, they enter buildings, with females laying eggs near a food source. Females each lay about 135 eggs, which hatch in 12 or more days. When the eggs hatch, the larvae feed, grow, and shed their skins (casings) several times before reaching full size. Larvae will feed for 40 – 50 days on high protein food before pupating. The larvae prefer foods high in protein, like spoiled ham, bacon, dried beef, other game meats, dried dog, and cat foods. But they will also feed on items such as fur, hair, hides, feathers, dried fish, and cheese that have been stored around your house.
The first step in larder beetle control is to identify and dispose of the beetle’s food source. Without a food source, larder beetles will not survive. An infested bag of dog or cat food is easily cleaned up. However, finding the sources of one or two beetles may be difficult. Adult larder beetles are attracted to night-lights or may breed on a small food source such as a dead mouse. Using rodent poison can cause larder beetle infestations because the rodent can die in walls or ceilings.
Prevention is the best control for all pantry pest including larder beetles. Keep food and pet feed in glass jars, plastic containers, or metal canisters. Make sure containers have a tight fitting lid. Many of the pantry pests are very small and can crawl under loose fitting lids. Do not store products in paper or plastic bags, cardboard boxes or cloth containers as the insects can chew through them. Try and store foods in a cool dry place.
There are insecticides that can be used if the infestation persists and can not be found. Residual control can be obtained by applying a household aerosol or pump insecticide. Aerosol and ready-to-use solutions labeled for carpet beetle control can be purchased at local businesses.
UAF – CES – Delta District
The winner of last week’s mystery photo is 
FORT WAINWRIGHT, Alaska – U.S. Army Alaska Soldiers with the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, based at Ft. Wainwright, are preparing to deploy to the National Training Center to conduct a training exercise, currently scheduled to begin in early July and run through the early part of August.