Bugs in Dog Food

Bugs in Dog Food

If you have small red bugs in your dog food, you're probably dealing with a flour beetle infestation. Both the confused and red flower beetles have shiny reddish brown bodies and are about 1/8 of an inch long.

One of the biggest differences between the two beetles is that the red flour beetle flies and is primarily found in southern states, while the confused flour beetle doesn't fly and is more so found in the northern parts of the country. With the complicated distribution of food products, however, it's easily understood how one species could be seen in areas they were not commonly found just decades ago.

Not limited to dog food, these product pests have a wide range of diet including rice, flour, spices, shelled nuts, dried fruit, beans, and other dry goods.

Average life span of both beetles is around one year. They have four life cycle stages, which include the egg, larvae, pupae and adult. Typically, you will find all four stages of the life cycle within infested grain products simultaneously.

The female beetles of both species lay their eggs loosely on the fine materials and broken kernels where they reside. The eggs are covered with a sticky secretion which fine food material adheres to. As the egg hatches, the food particles that surrounded the egg become a food source for the larvae.

When both species of beetles transform into a small pupa, they gradually change from white, to yellow, and then brown. Shortly after turning brown in color, they transform into an adult beetle.

Control Measures

As you would probably guess, control of these beetles is pretty much the same, regardless of which species your dealing with.

Step one in controlling a flour beetle infestation is to eliminate the food source. You may either throw away the infested product, or put it in the freezer for 4-7 days.

If the food product is heavily infested, you could have issues with other products near the original source, so be sure to check all opened boxes or bags that have been stored close by.

Once you've found and disposed the source(s) of the problem, you should deal with any spillage. The preferred method of cleaning is a two step-process- using a vacuum, then diluted bleach or soap and water.

To prevent further infestations, you should remove all food products that have been opened and seal them tightly in plastic containers or jars.

Good Luck!