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1.10.2005
Pyrethrins alone or with a synergist has been used successfully for treatment of wooden floors or walls of empty granaries or warehouses. Insecticides labelled for mealworm control include pyrethrins (Pyrenone), resmethrin (Synthrin) and silica gel (Drione, PT 230 Tri-Die). Always read and carefully follow label directions and safety precautions.

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25.8.2005
Mealworms are not always considered pests since some people raise them for fish and animal food.
Use good night-light discipline to reduce beetle attraction and infestation indoors. Sanitation is the simplest means of controlling mealworms. Moist, dark, undisturbed areas containing damp grain or milled cereals should be eliminated. Litter remaining in old or abandoned poultry houses can create explosive infestations, bothering residents as far as 1/2 mile away. Poultry litter dumped into piles outdoors can result in mealworm migrations indoors. Waste grain products in a sanitary landfill may become a source of infestation.

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1.10.2005


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| Life Cycle and Habits |
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Adult beetles are attracted to night-lights, are strong fliers, and are found in dark places. Each female lays about 275 eggs, which hatch into larvae in 4 to 14 days. Eggs are laid singly or in clusters during the spring over a period of 22 to 137 days. Individual larvae may wander far from the food source to pupate, making it difficult for homeowners to locate the source of infestation.
Most larvae mature by fall, overwinter and pupate in the spring, with the pupal stage lasting 7 to 24 days. living two to three months.
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