Assuming your dog food contains bugs is cause for alarm, especially since these pesky critters could be the larvae of pantry pests like moths and beetles – especially sawtooth grain weevils or flour weevils!
Infestations usually occurs in factories, warehouses or retail store shelves but it could also enter through transportation.
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Larder Beetles
These beetles can be found in food products such as cereals, dried fruits, potatoes, nuts and seeds; as well as infesting cured meats and some animal products. Their appetite extends far beyond just eating food products though; they’re known to attack almost anything with food content – penetrating tight crevices, chewing through carton flaps with ease before returning after opening paper cartons containing food after being released – like their counterparts such as Granary Weevils they can even consume whole grains while their larvae have distinctive legless larval characteristics: basal halves of their Elytrons have yellow bands with dark spots along their entire length while their final body segment contains two curved spines – marking their omnivorous nature allows them to access most food sources!
Larder beetles are widespread pests of stored products and pose serious threats. According to a California survey by county, state, and federal inspectors of foods and seeds storage units, they were identified as the number one problem insect.
Ants
Ants can be an ongoing headache for pet owners. Although not harmful to dogs themselves, they can contaminate food and make it unappetizing. Luckily there are ways to stop ants from invading pet food that are safe for both cats and dogs alike.
One method of combatting ants is using dish soap mixed with water in a spray bottle and spraying around food storage bowls or areas – this will coat and suffocate them. Diatomaceous earth, composed of fossilized remains from marine life, is another safe ant repellent option. Vaseline or baby talcum powder may also work; just be mindful not to inhale too much. As ants carry bacteria and toxins that could make dogs ill, keeping them away is important for their wellbeing – store food in airtight containers while keeping food bowls clean will help.
Flour Beetles
Flour beetles (Tribolium confusum and Tribolium castaneum) pose a significant problem in stores, warehouses and kitchens across North America. Females lay hundreds of eggs near food products where females lay numerous hundred more, which hatch within three to five days and produce larvae with silk that encase themselves with their silk casing. Pupation may occur on clean flour but usually happens within cracks and crevices where pupation takes place most commonly. Larvae feed on various dry foodstuffs which causes severe damage across warehouses, restaurants and homes alike.
To avoid flour beetle infestations, inspect food for insects before purchasing. If any infestations are discovered, discard the product immediately and vacuum and thoroughly clean cupboards and storage areas before placing food back onto shelves. As an alternative, sex attractant traps like Invite Multi-Insect Lure or Pantry Patrol may attract male beetles into breeding preventing further problems in your area.
Weevils
Finding bugs crawling around in a bag of dog food isn’t exactly pleasant, although some indigenous communities utilize insects as sources of protein for consumption by their animals. Most pet owners would rather avoid having their pup nibbling at antennae.
Weevils are one of the most frequently seen pests contaminating pet foods, particularly grain-based dog food such as kibble. They feed on grains and legumes found within dog food bags, as well as often being stored in warehouses, larders, basements or garages where many people store bulk pet food supplies.
If your dog’s food has become infested with weevils, remove it immediately from its bag and examine for live weevils, larvae or frass (excrement). Seal this infested bag in plastic before disposing it outside in a trash bin. Additionally, check all stored dry dog foods for signs of infestation; discard any infested products to prevent further re-infestations of other products.
