Working closely with the pest control industry, Insects Limited recognized pest control operators and residential customers alike needed a Ready-To-Use (RTU) device to monitor for beetles that could fit in areas suspected of insect infestation without taking much space.

Packages and food products infested with cigarette beetles usually have shot holes where adults have emerged from pupation. Adults and larvae cause damage. Adults are excellent fliers and are attracted to lights. These beetles are commonly found in tobacco and other processed foods such as spices, flour, meal, and dog food, but can also attack horn, wool, hair, hide, pharmaceuticals and even book bindings. It is a common household pest.

Following the theme this month, the Hide Beetle, Dermestes maculatus' biology, habits and life cycle are covered in this video.

The All Beetle Hide Beetle Kit combines the power of Insects Limited’s signature pheromone lures for Hide Beetle, Dermestes maculatus, with the innovation of the three-part All Beetle Trap™

All Beetle Hide Beetle kits feature Insect Limited’s signature pheromone lures that use a blend of 8 different pheromones mixed into a food attractant, to draw-in hide beetles over a 3-month period.

The hide beetle is often found on dried meat products such as pet food and is most often discovered as a hairy larva in the bottom of pet food bags. These larvae can burrow into paper, cardboard, Styrofoam insulation and wood, leaving a round hole approximately 6mm (0.25”) in diameter.

Following the theme this month in the video featured below, entomologist Patrick Kelley discusses the detailed life cycle of the warehouse beetle from egg to adult.

PTL represents the Plodia/Trogoderma/Lasioderma insects. ​​​​​The PTL Multi-Species Kit (IL-408-10) features the Insect Limited’s signature pheromone Bullet Lures™ that attract the most common pests of dried goods: Indian Meal Moth (Plodia interpunctella), Mediterranean Flour Moths (Ephestia kuehniella), Almond Moth (Ephestia cautella), Tobacco Moths (Ephestia elutella) and other food moth species; Trogoderma food beetles such as the Warehouse beetle, (Trogoderma variabile), Khapra beetle, (Trogoderma granarium) as well as (Trogoderma glabrum) and (Trogoderma inclusum); and also the Cigarette beetle (Lasioderma serricorne) species with a controlled release of pheromone over 3 months.

Warehouse beetles occur in all life stages in warm buildings, throughout the year with two or three generations occurring each year. Females mate within one day of emerging from the pupa. Five to sixty eggs are deposited near a food site. Larvae will molt 5 or 6 times before pupating.

Fruit flies progress from egg, through several larval instars, to pupa and then to adult in as little as 10 days. Males initiate courtship rituals after picking up short-range pheromones from females. Adult fruit flies can live up to 40 days.

The GreenWay Fruit Fly Kit (IL-1520-12) features the Insect Limited’s custom attractant for common fruit flies. It has been designed to capture red-eyed fruit flies but will also capture dark-eyed fruit flies.

Fruit flies feed primarily on moist, decaying, organic food items including fruits, vegetables and other fermenting liquids.

Fruit fly infestations can be identified by numerous adult insects flying around a food source or from the maggots infesting decaying food. In heavy fruit fly infestations, pupae can be found some distance from the food source when the larvae migrate away to find a dry, dark, and safe place to pupate.

James Feston, BCE discusses carpet beetles and other dermestids: How, why and what to do about them.

This All Beetle AA Carpet Beetle Kit includes 10 or 100 (select your quantity) complete All Beetle traps, 10 or 100 dermestid attractant lures, 10 pheromone Bullet Lures™ for Varied Carpet Beetles (Anthrenus verbasci), and Black Carpet Beetle, (Attagenus unicolor), as well as a glue board specifically designed to fit the All Beetle trap removable tray.

Varied carpet beetles are commonly found in nests of bees, wasps, and birds, but can also attack, horn, wool, hair, silk, dead insects and are occasionally found in meal, spices, and biscuits. It is a common household pest.

Insects Limited is excited to announce the addition of a new staff entomologist joining our Research and Development department. After receiving her degree in entomology, Samantha (Sam) Kiever has joined the Insects Limited team, filling a role as a Research Assistant.