ABOUT
THE
BLACK CARPET BEETLE
Trogoderma variabile
| Recognizing
the Carpet Beetle: |
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ADULT
This
beetle is about 1/8 inch long and is brownish black in appearance.
Their elytra (hardened wings) are covered
with fine hairs which can produce a mottled pattern in coloration..
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LARVAE
The
immature form are bout ¼ inch long and have a yellow
white to dark brown coloured body which is covered with tufts
of setae (hairs) on each body segment. There are paired patches
of concentrated setae on the last four abdominal segments and
usually a tuft of longer hairs at the tip.
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PUPAE
Pupal cases are oval in shape and hairy. Inside the pupal
skin a whitish larva to blackish beetle may be visible.
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Life
Cycle
This insect occurs 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. The life cycle is completed in approximately
35 days. Larvae rarely move from the site of egg laying if sufficient
food is available.
- This beetle
and larvae can feed on a wide variety of stored foods
including
Cereals
- Candy
- Flour
- Fishmeal
- Noodles
- Dried
spices
- Nuts
- Dead animal
carcasses
- Pet foods
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The larval
stage prefers to hide in dark areas where food is stored, including
processed and packaged foods, or in cracks and crevices where
waste food has accumulated.
The use of pheromone traps and inspections can determine the location
and degree of infestation.
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WHAT YOU NEED
TO KNOW ABOUT THE LURE:
Bullet Lure
BULLET LURE® Contains sex pheromone to attract male beetles.
Effective duration of attraction is 6-8 weeks.
BIO-LURE. ® Contains sex pheromone to attract male beetles.
Effective duration of attraction is 6-8 weeks.
Lure Storage
Keep unopened foil pouches in cool storage (less than 60° F) or
place in freezer for extended storage. Lures
can remain frozen for up to 18 months to retain their full effectiveness
for use afterwards.
Trap Designs
used with Lure:
No Survivor Traps® are diamond shaped sticky traps designed
to be hung.
Flat traps are low profile flat rectangular sticky traps that
can be placed on level surfaces.
Trap Placement
Techniques
Timing
- traps should be placed in early March, just before active flights
begin.
Density
- it is recommended that traps be placed near materials susceptible
to attack (see list above) at one per every 20 feet. In large
warehouses traps may be placed every 30 feet apart.
Location
- Place hanging traps at just above eye height in rooms
or warehouses where food is stored. Stealth traps can
be placed inside drawers, under or above cabinets, inside cupboards
and more confined spaces where hanging traps cannot fit.
Trap and Lure
Maintenance
Traps must be replaced when filled with beetles or become dusty.
Traps may remain sticky for many months.
Lures must be replaced every 6-8 weeks. The old lure should be removed
from the trap.
Trapped beetles
should be recorded regularly on a separate monitoring data sheet to
determine trapping trends.
Expectations
1 beetle per trap per week -- Inspection of materials susceptible to
attack should be carried out.
3-5 beetles/ trap per week -- Serious damage is likely on a single product
or location in the area of the trap.
10+ beetles/trap per week - Serious wide spread damage has occurred
to products or items in the storage area.
Important
Notes:
Large numbers of beetles require other means of control and management
to eradicate infestations. Traps may catch sufficient number of
males to prevent females from becoming fertile. Female beetles however,
may actively fly around and not be attracted to the traps. |
Please
call us at 951. 924.4616 or Toll Free at 877-924-4616
for additional information or to purchase other equipment or services.
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