Knowledgebase

Indoor insect ID #818350

Asked January 09, 2023, 8:21 PM EST

Please identify this insect. All black, about 3mm, it's a small fast bug. Located a few in the bathroom, one or two in the kitchen and then two of them under a piece of chocolate cake in my very clean kitchen so I'm shocked and horrified! I do have several plants near the windows and we have dogs and dry dog food, bird seed but all kept in closed containers. I've inspected my pantry and there isn't anything open or exposed (noodles, flour and the like). Of the two I captured one is smaller than the other, and then they looked they were mating. What is this bug and how to dispatch it nicely? Thank you for your kind attention in this matter!

Ramsey County Minnesota

Expert Response

Thanks for your question.

Unfortunately the clarity and resolution of the picture you submitted does not enable me to identify this insect with a high degree of confidence. I can only make an educated guess as to what it is. I believe that this is a yellow mealworm beetle (Tenebrio molitor). It is common in Minnesota dwellings, especially during the winter months. It is attracted to food scraps, especially grain products. Even though you attempt to keep your kitchen neat and tidy with food securely stored, these beetles can still appear. They seem to have a knack for finding the smallest of food morsels. These beetles come from mealworm larvae. These larvae can be carried in from the outside in a variety of ways. Pet food is notorious for harboring these larvae that may have been mixed in with the food during processing. Use your vacuum cleaner to suck up these beetles. Hopefully they should disappear within a couple of weeks. See the following for further information:

https://bugguide.net/node/view/101010

https://www.macalester.edu/ordway/biodiversity/inventory/mealwormbeetle/

Good luck and thank you for using our forum.

An Ask Extension Expert Replied January 19, 2023, 11:06 PM EST
Hello -
Thank you for the update. Your right, they kind of just disappeared altogether in about 7 to 10 days. We were pretty sure they weren't baby cockroaches, thank goodness and I sure appreciate your feedback.

Stay warm!
Eileen
On Thursday, January 19, 2023, 10:06:12 PM CST, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:


The Question Asker Replied January 23, 2023, 12:35 PM EST

Thanks for your response.  Glad to have been of assistance.  Keep those food containers tightly secured!  Good Luck

An Ask Extension Expert Replied January 23, 2023, 2:47 PM EST

Loading ...