Common Pests in Dog Food

Unbeknownst to most people, dog food can contain a few common pests, some which can harm the health of the dog. These pests do not affect canned dog food because of its hermetically sealed packaging, but dry dog food can easily become the new home for these pesky critters. To avoid feeding your dog infested food, make sure you choose a bag that doesn't have any rips or tears.

  1. Indian Meal Moth

    • According to Insects Limited, the Indian meal moth is the most common pest found in dry dog food containing grain. This moth is the pest that gives the most problems when it comes to food infiltration. You can identify the adult moth by its grey, white and bronze color. The larva is identified by its silk web like trail. Larvae often hide in the gaps and fissures of the dry dog food bag and can literally gnaw through the bag of dog food. Adult Indian meal moths reproduce quickly, so an infestation in dog food is easily noted.

    Warehouse Beetle

    • The warehouse beetle is a tiny, oval beetle and is often a problem at dog food facilities. The larvae are orange-brown and covered with hair, while the adults are black with small white spots. Although their life cycle is approximately 43 days, the warehouse beetle can hibernate for up to two years in dry dog food.

    Grain Mites

    • Grain mites are another proliferate food infesting pest They live off the fungi in grains, and grow in areas with high moistures. They are often found in areas w.here there is fungal growth and an infestation can be detected by the brownish tinge left from mite dust left by mite legs. These mites feed on wheat germ, yeast, flour and other grains, which are often ingredients in dry dog food. They are known to replicate quickly and if the dog food becomes contaminated with grain mites you need to throw it out right away. Harmful effects caused by this mite are allergic reactions, skin inflammation and severe itching.

    Flour Beetle

    • Although a flour beetle commonly contaminates flour it also infests dry dog food. Flour beetles lay their eggs on the small pieces of dry dog food. A female flour beetle can lay approximately 450 eggs so infestation can spread quickly. To identify a flour beetle it's important to remember that they are red-brown. Although, they do not harm your pet, they do infest the pet food and can make it unusable. They can also infest other areas of the kitchen or room where the food is stored, so it is important to throw any infested dog food away.