Combating Berlin beetles

Environmentally friendly products and natural solutions for home pest control.

1. General information about Berlin beetles

The Berlin beetle (Stegobium paniceum) – also known as the bread beetle or common woodworm – is a widespread stored product pest . It primarily attacks dried foods such as bread, flour, pasta, rice, spices, tea, animal feed, and chocolate. It can even chew paper, books, or dried plant remains.

The beetles themselves are 2–3 mm in size, reddish-brown in color, and capable of flying. Particularly problematic, however, are the larvae, which develop in packaging or food, rendering it unusable. An infestation often goes unnoticed until numerous beetles have already formed.

2. Detecting Berlin beetle infestation – typical signs

You can recognize an infestation with Berlin beetles by typical signs:

  • Small holes in packaging or food
  • Larvae and feeding tunnels in flour, pasta, animal feed or spices
  • Adult beetles (2–3 mm in size, reddish-brown, domed) often fly around in summer
  • Drill holes in books, paper or dried plant products

Because the bread beetle reproduces rapidly, quick action is crucial to protect supplies.

3. Preventing Berlin beetles – tips for the kitchen and pantry

Here’s how you can prevent an infestation by Berlin beetles :

  • Store food airtight : Store supplies in glass, metal or hard plastic containers
  • Check regularly : Check flour, spices, pasta and animal feed
  • Cleanliness in the kitchen : Remove crumbs and food leftovers immediately
  • Dispose of contaminated material immediately : Do not keep packaging and supplies, but dispose of them with household waste
  • Store in a dry place : Avoid moisture as it promotes the development of the larvae
Recommended product

With the storage wasps, you are relying on natural beneficial insects that specifically control bread beetles in the storage area and thus support the sustainable protection of your food.

  • Easy to use: The tubes containing the beneficial organisms are easily placed in the affected storage areas.
  • Natural & harmless: Garlic wasps are tiny, beneficial insects from nature – completely chemical-free and completely harmless to humans and pets.
  • Sustainable effect: Supports reliable control of bread beetles and other insects over several weeks.
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Storage wasps against bread beetles, rice beetles & Co. Storage wasps against bread beetles, rice beetles & Co.
Storage wasps against bread beetles, rice beetles & Co.
From €34,90
€34,90 /item

4. GREEN GUARDIA products against Berlin beetles

GREEN GUARDIA chalcid wasps (Lariophagus distinguendus)

Our storage wasps are highly effective beneficial insects against Berlin beetles and other stored product pests . These tiny insects parasitize the beetle's larvae by laying their eggs inside them, reliably stopping the pests from developing.

  • 100% natural and harmless to humans, pets and food
  • Particularly effective in pantries, storage rooms or warehouses
  • Combat bread beetles, rice beetles, flour beetles and other stored product pests

👉 With the GREEN GUARDIA wasps you can not only contain an infestation by Berlin beetles, but also prevent them in the long term.

✅ Conclusion: The Berlin beetle (Bread Beetle) is a persistent stored product pest that infests food, books, and plant products. With consistent prevention and the use of GREEN GUARDIA storage wasps, you can combat the beetle effectively, naturally, and sustainably.