remain active during freezing temperatures
and pose a problem in unheated facilities
during the entire year.
Mealworms: These are among the largest
beetles closely associated with the food
industry. Adult mealworms are oval shaped
with 11-segmented antennae. Dark meal-
worms are black, and yellow mealworms are
shiny dark brown to black. They thrive on
old, moldy, off-condition grains or grain
products, but will feed on cereals, crackers,
and meat. The ingestion of mealworm eggs
can cause severe gastrointestinal illness.
They can fly and are attracted to lights.
Structure-Infesting Pests
The structure-infesting pests, cock-
roaches, and flies are discussed in Chapter
- Other structure-infesting pests include
psocids, commonly called booklice. Psocids
are 0.75 to 6.25 mm long, colorless to gray
or light brown insects with scale-like wings
(usually nonfunctional). Adults survive 1 to
3 months and feed primarily on molds.
They can also feed on starches, starchy
glues used in bookbinding, and dead
insects. Raw grains and finished food prod-
ucts are vulnerable to this pest if they
become moldy or are stored under humid
conditions. Many species reproduce by
parthenogenesis. Dry conditions or low
humidity stops or retards development or
causes desiccation or death. During hot
humid weather, the psocid population
increases on composite fiber “slip-sheets”
used to separate palletized stacks of
recently manufactured metal cans. Without
the use of plastic slip-sheets or sterilization
of these cans before use, some of these
insects can be canned with the product. An
effective way to eliminate psocid infestation
is to reduce the relative humidity to less
than 50%, increase air movement to
increase moisture evaporation, and disin-
fect to reduce mold growth. Psocids con-
taminate food products by their presence,
but usually cause minimal direct damage to
bulk grains.Insect-Resistant Packaging
Insect-resistant packaging is a strategy that
should be considered when nonchemical con-
trol or exclusion techniques are addressed. It
is possible to evaluate effectiveness of packag-
ing materials to determine which will protect
the product during storage and shipment.
Research results have demonstrated the
potential for incorporation of natural chemi-
cal repellents into packaging material and
new glues and ceiling methods to improve the
structural integrity of insect-resistant packag-
ing (Mullen and Pederson, 2000). Packaging
films differ in their ability to prevent insect
entry (Arthur and Phillips, 2003). Research
has indicated the potential for the incor-
poration of natural chemical repellents into
packaging material and new glues and sealing
methods to improve the structural integrity
of insect-resistant packaging (Mullen and
Pederson, 2000).Housekeeping During Product Storage
Unsanitary conditions may be prevented
through effective maintenance and house-
keeping. Bulk storage areas (especially inte-
rior areas) should be maintained so that they
are free of cracks or ledges that collect dust
and other debris, which provide an environ-
ment conducive to insect growth, whether
full or empty. Empty bins or other storage
containers should be inspected for residues
of product stored previously and for overall
condition. Any residual material that can
harbor or support insect growth should be
removed before products are stored.
Tunnels, gallery floors, and associated
areas of storage bins or similar facilities
should be maintained in a sanitary condition.
Periodic inspections are an essential part of
effective sanitation for stored products. As inLow-Moisture Food Manufacturing and Storage Sanitation 277