Feature: Spider Beetles

What is that tick-like creature in my dog’s pet food? Spider beetles are primarily pests of Wpet food and cereal products, which often remain in storage for long periods of time and become damp or moist. Spider beetles are typically 1/16th to 3/16th inches long, oval or cylindrical, long-legged and brown in color. Some species look something like small spiders or large ticks or mites with long legs and a globular abdomen.

Spider beetles are scavengers both in the adult and in the larval stages. They feed and reproduce in warehouses, grain mills, museums, and homes with broken grain or grain products, seeds, dried fruits or meats, wool, hair, feathers, droppings, animal feeds and sugar.

You’ve probably never noticed a spider beetle because they prefer to forage at night or in dark locations. They can be found within walls and attics, in the cracks of wooden fl oors and in the nests of birds and rodents. They can be active at temperatures well below freezing. They do not bite or sting humans or pets, spread diseases, or feed on or damage the house or furniture.

Controlling spider beetles in your home should be done by a professional. A thorough inspection must be conducted. Infested items should be located and eliminated. This may be a challenge because of the large number of possibly infested items. (This is why you will want the assistance of a pest management professional to help you.)

Shelves with infested products should be emptied and thoroughly vacuumed. Inspect all stored foods routinely and eliminate any dampness or high humidity conditions. Keep stored products in airtight containers with secure lids. Eliminate rodents, birds, and other insect pests as spider beetles feed on feces and dead insects as well. Typically, removal of infested product, proper sanitation of spills and proper storage are necessary to control them. But, pesticides may be needed. Your pest professional will know how to apply these products for proper site placement, especially when dealing with food storage areas. So, give us a call!

Spider beetles are tiny — typically only 1/16th to 3/16th inches long. They are primarily pests of pet food and cereal products.