Stored Products:
* Flour: Flour beetles, as their name suggests, are fond of flour, but also eat other grain products like cereals, pasta, rice, and bread.
* Cereals: Grain weevils, rice weevils, and other grain beetles are common pests of stored grains.
* Dried fruits: Dried fruit beetles, like the Indian meal moth, are drawn to dried fruits, nuts, and other dried foods.
* Seeds: Seed beetles, like the bean weevil, target beans, peas, and other seeds.
* Spices: Spices, like pepper, can be attractive to certain beetles.
* Pet food: Some beetles, like the drugstore beetle, will even feed on pet food.
Other Food Sources:
* Dead insects: Some beetles are scavengers and will feed on dead insects.
* Feces: Certain beetles feed on animal droppings.
* Carrion: Some beetles, like carrion beetles, feed on decaying animal flesh.
It's important to note that different species have different preferences, so it's not possible to say definitively what any given beetle will eat. However, the above list gives you a good idea of the types of foods that are most commonly targeted by food beetles.
If you have a problem with food beetles in your home, the best way to identify them is to collect a sample and take it to a local pest control company or university extension service. They can help you identify the species and recommend the best course of action for getting rid of them.