Common Pests Found in Pet Food

Adult beetles possess strong flight capabilities and primarily lay eggs at night in concealed locations such as walls, product packaging, or crevices between kibble. Eggs are typically laid in clusters, with each cluster containing around 30 eggs. Female beetles exhibit high reproductive capacity and extended egg-laying periods. Once larvae hatch, they consume the eggshells before boring into their host. Both adult beetles and larvae exhibit cannibalistic behavior and are also capable of preying on the larvae of other stored-product pests.

Adult beetles can penetrate dry food packaging by boring holes or gnawing through bags before laying eggs inside. White insect eggs may be found on the pet food, which hatch into larvae within four days. These larvae produce a white secretion often mistaken for mold growth. In reality, this secretion is a byproduct of the larvae, indicating that the pet food has been infested by insects.

Causes of Insect Infestation in Pet Food Domestically and Internationally

• Storage Conditions:
  Poor storage conditions, such as high temperature, high humidity, or inadequate ventilation, can promote pest infestations.
• Packaging Damage:
  Improperly sealed or damaged packaging makes it easier for insects to invade and reproduce inside the product.
• Environmental Hygiene:
  If the storage area contains insect eggs or pests, pet food is more likely to become contaminated. An unclean environment further encourages pest reproduction.

Common Types of Pet Food Packaging Bags

• Composite (Laminated) Aluminum-Plastic Bags:
  Commonly used for small packages and premium dry pet food, offering excellent protection against light, moisture, oxygen, and pests.
• OPP Woven Bags and Multi-Layer Paper Bags:
  Impact-resistant and light-blocking but provide poor protection against moisture, oxygen, and pests. The outer bag is not fully sealed, and the thin PE inner liner allows oxygen and water vapor to penetrate, which can also lead to odor leakage and attract pests. These are commonly used for large, economy-sized pet food packages.