Hairy Worms in the Dog Food? Meet the Larder Beetle.

You go to scoop some kibble for Fido, and you see hairy brown skins shed on top of the food. Then you see a dark beetle with a beige band across its back.

This is the Larder Beetle.

They Love Grease and Meat

Unlike weevils that eat rice, Larder Beetles want protein and fat.

• The Dog Food Bag: This is their #1 hideout. It's full of meat meal and grease.
• Dead Mice: If you poisoned a mouse and it died in the wall, these beetles will find the body, eat it, and then march out into your kitchen.

The "Drilling" Larvae

Here is the bad part. When the larvae (the hairy worms) are ready to turn into beetles, they get bored. Literally.

They bore into solid materials to build a cocoon. They will drill holes into wood beams, books, or even soft lead pipes. I've seen them turn a pantry shelf into Swiss cheese.

How to Fix It

1. Containerize: Stop leaving the dog food in the open bag. Put it in a hard plastic bin with a screw-on lid.
2. Check the Attic: If you don't have pets but have these beetles, you likely have a dead animal (squirrel/bird) in the attic or chimney that they are feeding on.