What is this - beetle

[davemg]

I have started to find these all over the house, please can someone tell me what species these are and the best way to get rid of them.

[Paul mabbott]

Hello, Dave; how long are they?

[davemg]

Hi Paul, almost bang on 1cm in length.

This is the underside of the beetle

[Paul mabbott]

Mmm I'm not at all confident from these picture but my first thought was Tenebrio molitor - the 'adult' form of the mealworm. As the name suggests, these feed on dried, stored cereal products so you would want to check out any old, perhaps hidden, stores of oats or flour. Also, of course, mealworms are cultivated to provide food for animals such as robins - could you have an old stock which has metamorphosed into the adults.

Perhaps someone else will suggest better alternatives - the size (a little small) and the antennae (elbowed) might be suggestive of some wood boring insects; if so you should be able to find exit tunnels and sawdust!

Good luck.

[davemg]

Thanks Paul, is it not possibly a carpet beetle, it looks a lot like this one

How to get rid of household pests, with examples: Carpet Beetles

[Paul mabbott]

Yes, looks a bit like Attagenus unicolor, the black/brown carpet beetle. [we're more used to seeing the variable carpet beetle!].
Again, find the source! All carpet beetles feed on keratin and so will eat (as larvae) feathers, furs, skins, and wool. Therefore check your wardrobes and cupboards for any clothes that haven't been examined for a long time and woollen carpets particularly where these are under heavy furniture. They often live in disused bird and mammals nests so, if you have an idea where they're travelling from, worth checking under floor boards, in ventilation shafts or attics.
When you find the source it's usually easy to eliminate them with a vacuum cleaner and hot water!
Good luck.
http://www.dermestidae.com/Attagenus...runicolor.html

[Lindsay-c]

looks similar to bacon/larder beetle


We have these in the house sometimes...

[Paul mabbott]

Originally Posted by Lindsay-c

looks similar to bacon/larder beetle
We have these in the house sometimes...

Yes Attegenus spp are members of the Dermestidae like the hide and larder beetles. Could be a Dermestes sp - I just wouldn't like to say on these photos.
Whatever, the advice still applies - find the source - whatever they've been living on is probaby the best clue to their identity!

[triops]

Hi davemg,

As you can see from the responses, its impossible to identify your beetle from your pictures. Don't panic yet! If you can get some better pictures it will easily be identified and a proper remedy found.

[davemg]

Thanks guys, I have a microscope with a video camera attachment, that will do the trick - watch this space :-)