Sawtoothed Grain Beetles in Georgia
Adult Sawtoothed Grain Beetles are small, red to brown colored beetles ranging from 0.25-0.3 cm in length. Identification can be aided by looking at the thorax (second section of an insect right behind the head) of the beetle. They have small projections coming off either side of their thorax in a row. They have a wide variety of stored goods that they infest; many are the same goods that Indian Meal Moths frequent. Oatmeal, seeds, chocolate, dog food, bird seed, cereal, and so forth all fall prey to these beetles.
Sawtoothed Grain Beetle Habitat
Adults are mostly found indoors inside of stored goods in the pantry, storage closets, granaries, etc. The most common location to see them is in the kitchen inside whatever they are using as a food source. Sawtoothed grain beetles are commonly found in food manufacturing, storage, and retail facilities, as well as pantries in homes. A typical discovery of a sawtoothed grain beetle infestation occurs when adult beetles are discovered crawling around a pantry area.
Sawtoothed Grain Beetle Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers
Their small size allows them access into all sorts of stored goods. They either gain access through small holes or imperfections in the packaging or they wait until the item has been opened and then make their way inside. Their feeding can decrease the value of the product, make it unfit for use, and even encourage fungi and bacteria growth where they damage different goods.
If you have sawtoothed grain beetles in your Georgia property, contact your local pantry pest control experts for help.
