SAWTOOTHED GRAIN BEETLES? WE’LL FIX THEM IN NO TIME!
- 4.9
Beetle Treatments
Terms & Conditions Apply
$198
SAWTOOTHED GRAIN BEETLES? We’ll fix them in no time!
Beetle Treatments
Terms & Conditions Apply
$198
- 4.9
Sawtoothed grain beetles can chew through tightly sealed packaging to
contaminate food
Sawtoothed Grain Beetles – Allstate Pest Control
A very common stored product pest, sawtoothed grain beetles are known for their unique ridged “sawtooth” thorax.
They can penetrate tightly sealed packages to contaminate dried food, particularly grain products, in pantries, food storage and manufacturing facilities, and more. You’ll find them feeding on broken down grain kernels
rather than whole grains and cereals. However, these hungry pests will happily eat nuts, sweets, dried meat, pasta and other pantry items as well.
Unfortunately, their presence can increase humidity and moisture levels and eventually lead to the formation of mould.
With their flattened bodies, sawtoothed grain beetles can easily crawl into tiny cracks and crevices to hide and lay eggs.
Are you noticing sawtooth grain beetles in your pantry? You’ll want them gone fast to prevent the problem from getting worse. For effective treatment options, contact Allstate Pest Control today.
What Are Sawtoothed Grain Beetles?
Sawtoothed grain beetles are small, brown-coloured insects with flat, slender bodies, commonly found in stored food products like cereals, flour, and pet food. These pantry pests thrive across Australia, particularly in warmer climates like Adelaide.
Appearance and Key Characteristics
- Size: Adult beetles measure between 2.5 to 3 mm in length.
- Thorax: Their thorax has six tiny, saw-like projections, giving the beetle its name.
- Colour: They appear dark brown, blending easily into food particles and tiny cracks.
- Wings: Although they possess wings, these beetles rarely fly.
- Flat Body: Their narrow, flat bodies allow them to hide in cracks and crevices in storage areas.
Life Cycle of Sawtoothed Grain Beetles
- Egg Stage: Females can lay up to 285 eggs throughout their lifetime, usually depositing them on broken kernels or directly within stored foods.
- Larval Stage: Larvae, which look like small worms, feed on grains, flour, and cereals. Under optimal conditions, this stage takes around 2 weeks.
- Pupal Stage: After feeding, larvae enter the pupal stage within food items or dry food products.
- Adult Stage: Adult beetles emerge after 20 to 25 days and can live for up to 10 months, often producing several generations during that period.
Where Are They Found?
Sawtoothed grain beetles are commonly found in grain products such as flour, whole grains, and dried food goods. Infestations occur in pantry items, pet food, and kitchen cabinets. These pests are also prevalent in commercial facilities, warehouses, and food storage areas. Rice-loving beetles are often detected in stored rice and other grains.
Signs of a saw tooth grain beetle problem
- Adult beetles are flat, reddish-brown coloured with 2 antennae and 2.5-
3.5mm long - Characterised by 6 serrated sawtooth-like ridges on each side of the
thorax, and 3 on the top. Males have a tooth on the hind leg - Eggs are white-coloured and elongated but microscopic in size
- Larvae are flat, less than 3mm long and yellow-white, with a brown coloured head
How to Get Rid of Sawtoothed Grain Beetles
1. Inspect and Discard Infested Food Products
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- Look for signs of infestation in grains, cereals, and pantry items.
- Discard infested food products immediately to prevent the spread to other stored foods.
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2. Clean and Prevent Food Particles
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- Vacuum cracks and crevices where grain beetles may hide.
- Wipe surfaces with natural ingredients or cleaners to remove eggs and larvae.
- Regularly clean kitchen cabinets and food storage areas to prevente any remaining beetles.
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3. Store Food in Sealed Containers
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- Use tightly sealed glass or plastic containers for all stored goods like grains, cereals, and flour.
- Freezing food products for 72 hours can kill any eggs or larvae present.
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4. Apply Pest Control Treatments
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- Sprinkle diatomaceous earth around affected areas, as it works to dehydrate and kill pantry pests.
- Consider food bait traps or insecticides if the infestation persists.
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5. Call a Professional Pest Control Company
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- Contact a professional pest control company like Allstate Pest Control for effective treatment for severe infestations.
- Many companies offer free consultations and can help with technical support for long-term prevention on how to manage sawtooth grain beetles.
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Why use Allstate Pest Control for your beetle problem?
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orHow to treat a sawtoothed grain beetle outbreak
Identify the source of the infestation and remove the affected items as soon as possible. Be sure to wrap them tightly in plastic to prevent beetles from escaping.
To kill off remaining beetles at any stage of the life cycle, you can freeze contaminated items for 2 days, microwave for 5 minutes or apply heat at 125 degrees for an hour.
Clean and vacuum cupboards and shelves, including any cracks and crevices. Take care to store food away in tightly sealed plastic or glass containers.
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, an outbreak may continue to persist, so professional pest control removal may be your best option.
Adelaide’s Best Sawtoothed Grain Beetle Control Company
Expert sawtoothed grain beetle control Adelaide
Experienced at managing commercial and residential outbreaks
Safe and targeted treatment with follow-ups
Emergency sawtoothed grain beetle control service
Servicing all suburbs across Adelaide, South Australia
How sawtoothed grain beetle control works
At Allstate, we usually begin professional treatment after all affected food
products have been discarded and the area wiped down and vacuumed.
Treating the contaminated area with fumigation generally works best for sawtoothed grain beetles. In severe outbreaks, we may also use diatomaceous earth.
Fumigation
We use aerosol insecticides pyrethrins and phosphines, taking care to target cracks and crevices where sawtoothed grain beetles are known to hide and lay eggs.
Diatomaceous earth
A natural product, food grade diatomaceous earth can be applied to heavily infested areas. It promotes moisture loss in active beetles, causing them to dry out and die.
Follow-up treatment
Given that sawtoothed grain beetle eggs are microscopic, they can be laid in hard to reach areas, causing new beetles to emerge and prolonging the outbreak. This means that you’ll need a follow up treatment to manage an infestation.
Emergency sawtoothed grain beetle control
Outbreaks can happen fast, so we offer a 24/7 urgent call out service when needed.
Our expert team is ready to help you now
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are sawtoothed grain beetles harmful to people, pets and furniture?
Despite their appearance, sawtoothed grain beetles do not bite, scratch or harm people, pets or furniture. They are not known to spread disease, but their presence does result in food contamination and may promote the growth of mould, so affected items can no longer be ingested.
What are the signs of a sawtoothed grain beetle outbreak?
Check your stored food products, especially cereals and grains, and inside your pantry for beetles. Look for flat, reddish-brown coloured beetles with 2 antennae and 2.5-3.5mm long. They have 6 serrated sawtooth-like ridges on
each side of the thorax, and 3 on the top. Males have a tooth on the hind leg. Larvae are flat, less than 3mm long and yellow-white, with a brown coloured head.
How do I prevent a sawtoothed grain beetle outbreak?
- Keep food stored in tightly sealed glass or plastic containers
- Inspect your stored food items on a regular basis and before bringing them into your house. Discard products with damaged packaging
- Maintain hygiene in food storage areas by keeping them clean and wipe up spills immediately
Can sawtoothed grain beetles infest other items besides food?
No, saw-toothed grain beetles and merchant grain beetles typically infest stored food products such as grains, flour, and cereals. They do not attack furniture, clothing, or other non-food items. However, they may spread across multiple storage locations if food storage areas are not cleaned regularly. Monitoring pet foods and dry food products can help prevent re-infestation by ensuring these beetles do not migrate into other stored goods.
Do normal household aerosol sprays work on sawtoothed grain beetles?
Yes, some sprays can work, depending on whether the active ingredients work effectively against the beetles. However, an outbreak can continue to persist if the spray does not penetrate all the tiny cracks and crevices where
they hide and lay eggs. We recommend speaking to a professional Allstate pest control technician if an infestation is ongoing.
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