Larder beetles

Wolverhampton City Council provides an advisory service for the treatment of larder beetles in domestic premises. 

However the council does not offer a service for removing larder beetles at domestic premises.

For details of services offered to businesses see Treatment of larder beetles for businesses.

Identification of larder beetles

Larder beetles (dermestes lardarius) are a member of the hide beetle family.

They are long (7 to 9 mm) and brown with a pale strip acoss the body containing six spots.

They are commonly found in birds' nests as they feed on animal protein.

Control of larder beetles

The removal of the animal protein that larder beetles feed on will significantly reduce any infestation.

This protein is found most commonly in:

• birds' nests in roofs, eaves and chimneys
• gutters or other areas where birds perch
• kitchens and bin areas where spillage of meat or other high protein food will attract the beetles and allow them to breed
• bird coups, aviaries and cages where good hygiene needs to be maintained to prevent infestation.

The adults will be easily killed using a residual crawling insect spray or powder. If you choose to use these products you must follow carefully the instructions on the packaging/label.