Common insect pest species in homes

The bread, also known as the biscuit beetle or drugstore beetle, is one of the commonest pest insects of stored food. They are small, between 2-4 mm in length, and reddish-brown.

The pantry, or Indian meal moth is a common pest of stored foods. As the yellowish white or pinkish larvae feed they cover foodstuff with webbing - often the first indication of an infestation.

The golden spider beetle has golden yellow, silky hair and a spider like appearance. Adults are 3.0-4.5 mm long. Often a pest of stored food products but can also attack textiles.

There are a number of species of beetle in the UK that will attack natural fibres such as wool, silk, fur, feathers and skins. It is the immature larvae forms that cause the damage, rather than the adult beetles.

The two moths most commonly found in UK homes doing damage to natural fibres are the common clothes moth (Tineola bisselliella) and the case-bearing clothes moth (Tinea pellionella).

Furniture beetle larve develop over 3-5 years, feeding and growing within wood. When the adult beetles exit the larval tunnels, they leave behind round exit holes 1.5-2.0 mm wide, and small piles of wood dust characteristic of woodworm damage.

Adult death watch beetles are 5-9mm in length. Holes in wood from their tunneling larvae are the most likely piece of evidence to suggest an infestation. The holes and tunnels are circular and around 3mm in diameter.

Adult powder-post beetles are generally 4-5 mm long and range in colour from light brown to reddish-brown. Adult beetles usually emerge from the infested wood between May and September, with bore holes 1.5mm to 2mm in diameter.

Vine weevils are fairly large beetles, around 1cm in length, with long snouts (rostrums) and elbowed antennae. As plant pests, their larvae live in the soil and eat roots, while the adults feed on foilage.

Bed bugs are small, oval, flattish insects with needle-like mouthparts which pierce the skin of mammals and birds to suck their blood. Usually bed bugs are mahogany-brown in colour but they become deep purple or red after a meal.