Pest Control
Pest Control Service - Biscuit BeetlePest Control Service - Biscuit Beetle
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Advice
To Householders About The Biscuit Beetle
The biscuit beetle is 2-3mm long and is mid to dark matt brown in colour. It has finely-ridged wing cases and a loose three-segmented antenna. Biscuit beetles are often confused with furniture beetles or woodworm.
Distribution & Habitat
The biscuit beetle is found worldwide and is common throughout the UK. It is found in shops and domestic larders infesting a wide variety of foodstuffs such as flour, bread, breakfast cereals and other cereal products, beverage concentrates, spices, biscuits, packet soups and drinks.
Significance
The biscuit beetle causes serious problems for the food industry due to its widespread occurrence and its ability to breach most forms of food packaging.
Life Cycle
The female biscuit beetle lays its eggs either in foodstuffs or the surrounding areas. Around two weeks later the eggs will hatch and tiny larvae will emerge and infest foodstuff in the area, often penetrating packaging.
The larvae will live inside the packets of foodstuff for two to five months where they will continue to grow and moult. Once they have reached a full grown length of 5mm they find movement difficult and will construct a cocoon around themselves.
The pupal stage lasts two to three weeks then the adults may remain in the cocoon for a further two weeks before emerging. On emerging the adults disperse and live without feeding for up to eight weeks. Mating takes place soon after the adult has emerged and the female will then lay her eggs before she dies.
Control Methods
The source of the infestation should be traced and where possible eliminated.
Secondary sources of infestation such as birds nests and food residues should be removed as the biscuit beetle can use these in which to breed and re-infest new foodstuff.
Areas used for storing food should be kept scrupulously clean and stock rotation is important along with regular cleaning and inspection.
Treatment
Ashfield District Council does not offer a service for the treatment of biscuit beetles.
If you think that you may have a problem, please contact us immediately.
You will be advised fully of the costs involved prior to any treatment being undertaken.
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