Crops Affected: grains, seeds, spices, dried fruit, dog food, and other stored food products

States Affected: all states

Life Cycle: Adults fluttering indoors tend to be the first sign of infestation. Flying adults are attracted to light and may move away from the actual infestation location. They are commonly mistaken for clothing pests, which require a different pheromone lure trap system (see Bugs in the Closet? for more information). Females lay eggs directly on a food source. The larvae consume the stored grains or other food products. They move away from the infestation for pupation, further confusing identification of the pest and the location of infested foods.

Damage: The larvae feed on the exterior surfaces of stored food products. Most of the damage occurs when the larvae spin silk that accumulates fecal pellets and larval skin sheds in food products. Contamination exceeds the amount of food eaten by the insects. Homeowners and managers of food processing plants, warehouses, groceries and granaries should be alert for signs of infestation.

Season to Trap: Year-round

How To Use: Hang trap with lure inside near infestation. Replace lures every 30 days through the season, and replace traps when 70% saturated. Adult males are attracted to the pheromones in the lure in this kit. Once they land on the sticky trap, they become ensnared, never to mate or lay eggs again.

Also see "Bugs in the Pantry" traps for smaller, more attractively colored trapping systems intended for home use. This trap kit can be used in the home, but is best suited for larger food storage areas such as warehouses.

Additional IPM Solutions: If a population is discovered, all infested food must either be discarded or treated. Any susceptible food source should be placed in sealed containers. Freezing an infested product for several days has proved effective. Chemical and parasitic treatments have shown limited effectiveness. Avoid introducing contaminated foodstuffs by examining food purchases for telltale webbing, frass, and small white larvae ("worms").