Hey everyone,
I recently found some small beetles crawling around my pantry and baseboards, and after doing some Googling, they might be larder beetles. I’ve never dealt with them before, so I’m not even sure where to start.
Here are the things I’m trying to figure out:
- Identification: How can I tell for sure they’re larder beetles and not something else?
- Cleanup: Do I need to deep-clean the entire room, or just the areas where I found them?
- Hiding spots: Where do they usually come from or hide?
- Long-term control: What prevents them from coming back once you remove the current ones?
Anyone who’s been through this before—your advice would be super helpful!
If they’re the classic dark beetles with that lighter band across the back, there’s a good chance they’re larder beetles. They’re usually attracted to food residue or anything organic that’s been sitting around.
I had them in a storage closet once. Clearing out everything and vacuuming every crack made the biggest difference. They love hiding in the tiniest gaps.
Agree with @DustyBasementMike they’re sneaky. I’d start by checking old boxes, food containers, and any forgotten bags. That’s where I found most of mine hiding.
I always assumed they only showed up in kitchens, but turns out they can wander into bedrooms or basements too. They follow any food source, even pet kibble.
Try doing a slow, patient inspection around baseboards and under appliances. They’re small, but the shed skins they leave behind are easier to spot.
We dealt with them last summer. Honestly, removing anything old or dusty from the room helped way more than I expected. They thrive in clutter.
Hey @HomeFixer101, one thing I’d check is whether any food packaging has tiny chew holes. That’s how I realized something was going on before I even saw the beetles themselves.
Once you clean everything up, make sure the room stays dry. Moisture seems to make infestations worse, at least in my experience.
@CedarAndCoffee is right about the pet food. That was the source in my house. I started storing it in sealed tubs and haven’t seen a single beetle since.
If you found them in one room, assume they’ve explored a bit farther. I always do a quick sweep of neighboring spaces just in case.