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RK Environmental Services recently received an emergency call from a client to address new insect activity. The client simply described the pest as “having a red head.” The facility is U.S.D.A. inspected and the insects were observed by the Food Safety Inspection Service inspector during a routine visit.
While sitting in the employee break area, the inspector observed one of the insects on the leg of his pants. The pest sighting occurred outside of the production zone but was still considered serious and needed to be quickly addressed.
The soldier beetle (Cantharidae) is a relatively soft-bodied, straight-sided beetle. The pest is found in most parts of the world. Soldier beetles are a common outdoor insect that can be abundant accidental invaders as either larvae or adults.
Soldier beetles are nicknamed “leather wings” because of their soft, cloth-like wing covers, which when brightly colored are reminiscent of uniforms. The beetles are elongate, soft-bodied and about 1/2-inch long. Colors vary from yellow to red with brown or black wings or trim. Soldier beetles resemble lightning bugs but do not have light-producing organs.
An RK service specialist performed an initial inspection the same day, collected two dead samples in the break area by the radiator and identified the insects as soldier beetles. The client point of contact noted all insect sightings had occurred in the employee break room and adjacent areas.
The detailed inspection of the interior and exterior revealed the following:
These steps were successful in eliminating the soldier beetles from the facility.
Take Away Tips:
Ricardo John, A.C.E. is regional operations manager for RK Environmental Services
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