common south african pests

**duncan drennan** · 25-Oct-06, 08:30 PM

When I checked my post this morning I found that two little bugs had devoured a hole through my municipal account. This suddenly brought into focus the fact that I have no idea what the common pests are in South Africa, and probably wouldn't know what a borer beetle looked like if it bit me on the toe (after devouring my wooden floors).

So I was wondering what the common ZA pests are, and if there is a website that has pictures and details of the damages that they do.

Suggestions of where to look?

**Dave A** · 25-Oct-06, 09:37 PM

I've thought of adding something like this to our company website. But I can go quite a long way with a photo. Post a photo of the damage, and let's see how far we go.

The best pest ID area on the web I know of is unfortunately for NPMA (USA) members only.

**duncan drennan** · 25-Oct-06, 10:00 PM

Photo of damage or photo of beetle? Unfortunately the beetle didn't make it

**duncan drennan** · 25-Oct-06, 10:10 PM

After a little looking around I *think* it was some type of weevil (small, grey/brown, pointy nose). If I post a photo of the damage all it is going to look like is a piece of paper with some holes eaten into it - or are you particularly skilled in the chewing patterns of beetles?

**Dave A** · 26-Oct-06, 06:26 AM

Originally Posted by dsd

are you particularly skilled in the chewing patterns of beetles?

Yes. Most often that is all we've got to work with

Whilst I might not be able to get it down to species every time, I can generally get it down to family - or worst case a pest category.

What you have described does sound like a weevil. The next step would be to identify the source. Keep an eye on stored cereal products.

**duncan drennan** · 26-Oct-06, 07:10 AM

Found this outside in the post box, probably closer to our neighbour's building than to ours...I'll attach a photo later

**duncan drennan** · 26-Oct-06, 05:09 PM

Here are the best photo's I could get on the digital camera I have (pretty hard without a macro lens)

**Dave A** · 27-Oct-06, 06:36 AM

Evidence points towards a cockroach, but were the antenna damaged? - they should be longer.

To avoid future damage to mail, remove mail from post box regularly

If you take a flashlight and examine inside the mailbox carefully, you might well find more. In this instance I'll forgive you for using an aerosol insecticide.

**duncan drennan** · 27-Oct-06, 06:52 AM

Originally Posted by Dave A

Evidence points towards a cockroach, but were the antenna damaged? - they should be longer.

Cockroach? Never seen any type of cockroach that looked like that (but I don't know much about bugs). There were not really any antenna, just a long (relative to size) snout. The beetle wasn't really in a good way for the photo, aerosol insecticide had taken its toll, and a curled up position was all that it could manage for the photo

Anyway, more important for me is what I should keep my eyes open for to avoid wood damage to floors, roof trusses and other wooden items, and what preventative steps I should be taking, and at what intervals.