Sap Beetles
Oval, flattened bodies, with shortened wing casing, exposing two or three abdominal segments. Wing casings often have a couple of yellow to reddish brown spots.
Light brown to black
From 2 mm to 4 mm long
How to Identify Sap Beetles?
Keep food storage areas clean and sanitary. Clean and vacuum all crevices and corners. Wipe up food spills immediately. Buy food in smaller quantities. Use older food before opening more. Store foods in the refrigerator or freezer. Use glass, metal, or heavy plastic containers.
Signs of an Infestation
Both adult sap beetles and their larvae feed on stored grain, dried fruit, fresh fruit, flowers, fungi, carrion, the sap of trees and juice of fruits. They also burrow into moldy grain residues.
Sap beetles make a point of laying their eggs in one of these food sources, so the emerging larvae can feed immediately after hatching.
How worried should I be about sap beetles?
Sap beetles make holes in stored food product containers as they enter and exit, and can transmit mould spores, bacteria and yeasts.
Since a single female can lay up to 1000 eggs over four-month period, an infestation can quickly become serious for both homeowners and businesses. To be confident of eradicating sap beetles, a professional pest control service is essential.
