Bugged By Larder Beetles In My Nest Boxes.

Question:
IN the past two years I have noticed small larder beetles in my nest-boxes. can these be harmful to my birds. And if so, how can they be eradicated? Before hanging, I submerge the nest-boxes in a disinfectant solution I then spray them daily with a similar solution.

Answer:
I had never come across this type of beetle before until I had to look after a friend's bird while he was away on holiday. The beetles appeared to be living in any available small crack or space, not only in the nest-boxes but also around the aviary. Although there were quite a few of them in the nest- boxes, the birds were breeding well, eggs were hatching, and the young were being fed and appeared to be quite healthy While the beetles did not seem to be causing problems for the birds in my friend's aviary, I would rather that they were not there to begin with. I would have thought that the only way to get rid of them would be to use an insecticide, but I would be reluctant to do this while the birds were breeding. Perhaps the best way of eradicating the pests would be by prevention rather than cure. This is what I do after the breeding season, I wash my boxes well in a very strong solution of a good-quality bleach and allow them to dry out without being rinsed I then dip them in a fairly strong solution of liquid mite treatment - available from either garden suppliers or a pet shop before storing them away a few days before I plan to put boxes in the cages, I spray inside them with a solution of Duramitex again and let them dry before being used. Using this method, I have never experienced any problems with mites or other insects in the boxes during the breeding season, so with a bit of luck, this might work for you too.

_{source Bird Keeper Mag.}