{"id":4370,"date":"2011-01-26T13:12:26","date_gmt":"2011-01-26T18:12:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/ipm\/"},"modified":"2025-04-17T13:58:49","modified_gmt":"2025-04-17T17:58:49","slug":"5026e","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/ipm\/ipddl\/publications\/5026e\/","title":{"rendered":"Larder Beetles"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n \n \"Print\n <\/a>\n <\/div><\/h3>\n

Pest Management Fact Sheet #5026<\/h3>\n

James F. Dill, Pest Management Specialist
\nClay A. Kirby (retired), Insect Diagnostician
\nCharles D. Armstrong, Cranberry Professional & Staff Entomologist<\/em><\/p>\n

For information about UMaine Extension programs and resources, visit extension.umaine.edu<\/a>.
\nFind more of our publications and books at extension.umaine.edu\/publications\/<\/a>.<\/strong>
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Description & Biology<\/h3>\n

Larder beetles–technically a type of carpet beetle–show a strong preference for meat or meat by-products for food. The larder beetle was named for the fact that it was historically found in larders (storage rooms), especially those used to keep cured meats before refrigeration was common.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>The word “larder” itself refers to a place for storing food, and the beetles were known for their preference for high-protein items like dried meats and other stored foods. <\/span>However, larder beetles can survive on other organic materials, too. Infestations in homes most likely come from infested dry dog and cat food or bird feed. It is not unusual to find new infestations where rat or mouse baits have been used. The beetles can infest the baits and also the vermin carcasses. Mounted animals may also become infested. They will also feed on accumulations of dead cluster flies. Outdoors, they’ve even been observed preying upon spongy moth (Lymantria dispar<\/em>) egg masses!<\/p>\n

Grease from food preparation and cooking also attracts larder beetles. Any food that is not in a tight container, and has not been used for a month or more, should be checked for infestation whenever beetles or larvae are found.<\/p>\n

The adult larder beetle is about 3\/8-inch long, black, with a lighter band across the middle on which there are six small black spots. A full-grown larva is about 5\/8-inch long, somewhat fuzzy, with two distinct spines on top of the back end that curve backward. When mature, the larvae can become even more destructive by chewing shallow holes into wood (in which they pupate).<\/p>\n\n\t\t