If you have just one insect, it’s unlikely to be important.  Perhaps it hitch-hiked indoors on a person or pet, came through an open door, or walked in via a small crack.  But if you have many, you might have a pantry pest in stored dry foods (especially grains or cereals), bird seeds, or pet food.  

We can identify the insect(s) in one of two ways.  The first is to reply to me and attach up to 3 full-sized images. 

The second method is to take the insect to the Multnomah County Master Gardeners. Their office is in Montgomery Park, 2701 NW Vaughn St. Suite 450, Portland, OR 97210.  Hours are 10 AM to 2 PM, Monday through Friday, closed holidays.  

I look forward to receiving your images, Jean

Jean,

  Here's one image that pretty much shows as much as you can see.  They aren't fleas, they crawl & don't jump.  We haven't found any in our food stuffs, but they are all around the house.

Thank you for sending the excellent image.  Your critters are drugstore beetles.  Management must focus on finding and destroying their food source(s).   Try to recall where you first saw them because their food is likely to be in that room.  The reason they are now “all around the house” is that the population is has expanded greatly!     

“Featured Creatures” from the University of Florida discusses drugstore beetles in detail, including management.  The drugstore beetle “… gets its name from its habit of feeding on prescription drugs. It also feeds on flours, dry mixes, breads, cookies, chocolates and other sweets, and spices. Non-food material includes wool, hair, leather, horn, and museum specimens.” (“Drugstore Beetles” http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/urban/stored/drugstore_beetle.htm)  

Get creative when you think about possible food sources.  Some clients have found the food source to be seed-stuffed toys or neck warmers; food stashed by mice or squirrels that were in the attic, walls or crawlspace.

They can even chew into foil packages of dry soup mix.  Also consider neck warmers that are heated briefly in the microwave as they are often stuffed with seeds; dried flower arrangements; potpourri; or taxidermy items.  

To summarize management:
- Locate and destroy the food source(s), whether in the pantry or not.  (Before you begin the search, try to recall where you first saw the beetles. Do check any stored pantry items carefully as you may have missed the beetles.)
- Destroy the food source. 
- Store all “clean” food, and new purchases, in tight containers.  Best are rigid containers that seal with a gasket, or thick-walled plastics with tight lids.
 - Consider storing perishable dry foods in the refrigerator or freezer.
- Pesticides aren’t useful.
- After clean-up has been completed, remain vigilant.  

More resources for you:
- “Drugstore beetles” http://whatcom.wsu.edu/ag/homehort/pest/drugstore_beetle.htm
- “Cigarette and Drugstore Beetles” http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2083.html  

Good luck,
Jean

Jean,

  You were so helpful, thank you so much.  We found them in an old box of Triscuits, and they didn't seem to spread to other food stuffs in the kitchen.  We'll keep an eye out for more, but I think we got them.

Best regards,
Dick Ragland