Welcome to our guide on Sawtoothed Grain Beetles, scientifically known as Oryzaephilus surinamensis. If you’re concerned about the presence of these small yet destructive pests in your stored food, you’ve come to the right place. We will explore their identification, behaviors, effective extermination techniques, and provide answers to some frequently asked questions.
Scientific Name
Sawtoothed grain beetles, also known by their Latin name, Oryzaephilus surinamensis, infest various types of stored food products.
Identification
The Sawtoothed Grain Beetle is a slender, flat, brown beetle that grows to about 1/10th of an inch in length. Its defining feature is the six saw-like teeth on each side of its thorax, giving it the descriptive name ‘sawtoothed.’ The adult beetles are active fliers, although the wingless larvae are more commonly found in infested grains.
The larvae are cream-colored and can grow up to 1/8th of an inch in length. They have a distinctly curved body and a pair of small pointed spines on the last body segment.
Common Extermination Techniques
Sawtoothed Grain Beetles are stubborn pests and can be challenging to eradicate.
- Pesticides: Various insecticides can effectively deal with sawtoothed grain beetles. These should be used carefully, as per instructions, due to potential harm to humans and pets.
- Temperature Treatment: Both high heat and freezing temperatures can be employed to kill these beetles. Heating the infested grains to a temperature of 60°C (140°F) for half an hour or freezing at -18°C (0°F) for four days can kill all life stages of the beetle.
- Preventive Measures: The best extermination technique is prevention. Ensuring the cleanliness of storage areas and regular inspection of stored food items can help to nip infestations in the bud.
- Professional extermination: If you have recurring infestations, contact the beetle exterminators at Arete Pest Control. We will conduct as many visits as needed to eradicate the beetles.
FAQs
Sawtoothed Grain Beetles are not picky eaters. They infest a wide range of stored food items, including cereals, bread, pasta, dried fruits, nuts, spices, and tobacco.
While the beetles and their larvae are not known to bite or sting humans, they can cause significant damage to stored food supplies. Consuming food infested with these beetles may lead to foodborne illnesses.
Regular cleaning of storage areas, removing old and unused food items, and storing grains and other susceptible foods in airtight, beetle-proof containers can help prevent infestations.
Tired of battling the Sawtoothed Grain Beetle menace? It’s time to call in the professionals. Contact our expert extermination service today to reclaim your pantry and keep your food supplies safe and secure.