Lesser Grain Beetles – Allstate Pest Control
Lesser grain BEETLE PROBLEMS? WE’LL FIX THEM IN NO TIME!
- 4.9
Beetle Treatments
Terms & Conditions Apply
$198
Lesser grain BEETLE PROBLEMS? We’ll fix them in no time!
Beetle Treatments
Terms & Conditions Apply
$198
- 4.9
Lesser grain beetles are the biggest stored grain pest in Australia
Lesser grain beetles in your food?
Also known as the lesser grain borer, these insects are considered the biggest stored grain pest in Australia.
With thousands of tonnes of grain lost to contamination every year, including wheat, corn and rice, lesser grain beetles are not only a huge threat to agriculture but can enter household pantries through affected products as well. This can include nuts, beans, seeds, dried fruit and meat as well as spices. You may even find them lurking in rodenticide baits and tobacco products. They have been known to eat into wood if there are no other food sources available.
If you’re experiencing a lesser grain beetle outbreak in your food, you’ll definitely want them gone fast. Contact Allstate Pest Control and speak to one of our stored product pest technicians today.
Signs of a lesser grain beetle infestation
- Females lay eggs inside stored grain kernels, which hatch into white larvae. The larvae handle their droppings outside the grain, leading to a large buildup of waste in the grain.
- Brown-black coloured, cylindrical shaped, 2.5-3mm long with pitted wing covers
- Damage whole kernels of grain, reducing them to hollow husks and
flour. - Damaged grain gives off a sweet, musty odour
How Lesser Grain Beetle Enter Homes
Lesser grain beetles enter homes through multiple sources, often exploiting contaminated food products or other unsuspected entry points. Below are the primary infestation routes and preventative strategies to protect stored grain and other household items.
Contaminated Grains and Stored Food Products
- Primary Sources: Infestation typically begins with products such as cereal grains, nuts, spices, or seeds. Contaminated items carry eggs, larvae, or adult beetles.
- Examples of Infested Foods:
- Whole cereal grains like wheat, barley, and rice.
- Dried fruit and stored flour products.
- Rodenticide baits used in grain storage.
- Detection and Control:
- Use pheromone traps within pantries or flour mills.
- Regularly check for hollow husks or larvae activity.
Entry Through Non-Food Items
- Unexpected Entry Points: Beetles may enter through wood, tobacco, or rodent baits placed near homes.
- Air Currents and Strong Flying Capability:
- Lesser grain borers are strong fliers that use air currents to spread.
- Adult beetles often enter homes through cracks, gaps, or vent openings.
Infestation in Grain Storage Facilities
- Stored Grain: Infestations often occur in grain mass storage, where adult beetles like the rust red flour beetle and sawtoothed grain beetles thrive.
- Grain Contamination Risks:
- Damaged grain kernels become ideal breeding grounds.
- Contaminants can spread within entire grain shipments during import and storage.
Beetle Life Cycle and Spread
- Reproductive Activity:
- Female beetles lay eggs inside grain kernels.
- Larvae feed within the grain, boring holes and leaving hollow husks.
- Fast Infestation Spread:
- Adult beetles breed rapidly, contributing to serious pest infestations in homes and food facilities.
Why use Allstate Pest Control for your beetle problem?
FAMILY & PET SAFE
ENVIROMENTALLY FRIENDLY
AFFORDABLE
INTEREST-FREE PAYMENTS
SERVICE WITH A SMILE
FRIENDLY, DEDICATED TEAM
ULTRA-FAST RESPONSE
24 HOURS, 7 DAYS A WEEK
THE BEST WITH PESTS
INDUSTRY-LEADING INNOVATIONS
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orHow to treat a lesser grain beetle problem
We recommend locating and removing the source of the problem, which is the best way to prevent a lesser grain beetle outbreak. If possible, dispose of all affected items in tightly wrapped plastic bags or bury them deep in soil.
Thoroughly clean, wipe and vacuum the affected areas, paying attention to cracks and crevices.
Freezing affected products for a few days, or applying high heat for 24 hours can also effectively control lesser grain beetles.
If you are unable to completely manage the outbreak yourself, contact Allstate Pest Control today for a professional inspection and treatment.
Adelaide’s Best Lesser Grain Beetle Control Company
Effective lesser grain beetle control
Safe and targeted treatments
Experienced at managing outbreaks in commercial, industrial and residential settings
Emergency lesser grain beetle service
We cover all suburbs of greater Adelaide, South Australia
How lesser grain beetle control works
At Allstate, we believe that best way to treat a severe or ongoing lesser grain beetle infestation is through fumigation.
Some common insecticides used against stored grain pests, including chlorpyrifos-methyl and pirimiphos-methyl, are not effective at removing lesser grain beetles, so we are mindful of using treatments which are proven to work.
Fumigation with phosphine
We use approved insecticide aerosol sprays containing phosphine which have been shown to be successful against lesser grain beetles.
Monitoring outbreaks
We may use pheromone traps to monitor for the presence of lesser grain beetles before and after treatment, and to identify early signs of a new outbreak.
Follow-up treatment
We usually recommend [X] treatments, [X] weeks apart to completely prevent an outbreak.
Emergency lesser grain beetle control
We are available 24/7 to respond to all of your urgent pest problems.
Our expert team is ready to help you now
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can lesser grain beetles fly?
Though they are not strong fliers, adult beetles have wings which enable them to fly. Assisted by air currents, they can travel short distances to infest different places.
What are the signs of a lesser grain beetle infestation?
They can be difficult to detect because they burrow into grains and will not be seen during a sieve test. Here are some ways to tell if they are present:
- Damaged grain kernels, replaced with large amounts of hollow husks and flour. This nearly all types of grain including wheat, rice, barley, sorghum
- Sweet, musty odour in damaged grain
- Brown-black coloured insects, cylindrical shaped, 2.5-3mm long
- Damaged wood, cork, paper, dried fruit and seeds if there is no grain available
Can lesser grain beetles damage furniture?
Adult beetles have strong jaws. They have been known to bore into non-food items such as wood, cork and paper.
Is lesser grain beetle pest control treatment safe for my kids and pets?
Yes, at Allstate, we choose to use insecticide sprays which are non-toxic towards people, pets and the environment. All of our technicians are highly trained to follow guidelines regarding the safe use of chemical pesticides. We always ensure that all food from the affected area is removed and disposed of prior to initiating any treatment. We will advise you and your family to evacuate the area beforehand and leave you with clear instructions as to when it is safe re-enter.
Can lesser grain beetles infest packaged foods?
Yes, lesser grain beetles and lesser grain borers can infest sealed or packaged foods if the packaging is not airtight. These stored grain pests are capable of chewing through thin materials like plastic bags and cardboard, allowing infestations in products such as rice, flour, spices, corn, and nuts.
Both adults and larvae can cause contamination in stored grains. Adult lesser grain borers and sawtoothed grain beetles thrive in grain storage environments, targeting whole cereal grains, including wheat, barley, and other grains. As these insect pests chew through packaging, larvae feed on grain kernels, leaving behind damaged grain and hollow husks.
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