Why do I have sawtoothed grain beetles?

The sawtoothed grain beetle is a notorious pantry pest, feeding on damaged and processed grains like cereal, oatmeal, rice, crackers, biscuits, flour and pasta. These pests can also infest items such as candy bars, chocolate, nuts, spices, sugar, tobacco, dried meats and fruits.

 

Seeking food, sawtoothed grain beetles primarily infest warehouses, granaries, grain elevators and grain processing facilities, but can also infest homes, entering through cracks and crevices.

 

Grain beetles easily enter imperfectly sealed containers and packages, and like to lay their eggs in or on their food source, so their larvae can immediately eat when they hatch.

 

How can I prevent sawtoothed grain beetles from invading?

Clean storage bins thoroughly between uses, Use glass, metal, or heavy plastic containers, Keep food storage areas clean and sanitary, Clean and vacuum all crevices and corners, Wipe up food spills immediately, Buy foods in smaller quantities, Use older foods before opening more, Store foods in refrigerator or freezer

 

How worried should I be about sawtoothed grain beetles?

Sawtoothed grain beetles render large amounts of food inconsumable, potentially causing significant economic losses to businesses.

But it is hard to tell if a package contains these pests simply by looking at it. The only way to eradicate sawtoothed grain beetles is with the help of professional pest control services.