Darkling Beetle Control in Poultry Operations

balEnce Darkling Beetle Spray, our organic and reliable biopesticide, helps you control darkling beetles . .

Darkling Beetle Control with Organic balEnce

The warm environments of broiler, turkey brooder, and grow-out houses are a welcome breeding ground for the darkling beetle. Not only are these tropical beetles a nuisance, but they transmit poultry diseases and harbor various parasites.

Darkling Beetle

“The difficulty in controlling darkling beetles stems from several key factors: The beetle’s complex life cycle, their growing resistance to chemical pesticides, and the challenge of eradicating adult beetles and their larvae without harming the birds in your barn.” Jim Skinner, President of Terregena

  • Young birds, when introduced to darkling beetles, tend to consume them over their regular feed, leading to the intake of harmful parasites and diseases.
  • Darkling beetles consume a tremendous amount of poultry feed, driving up the cost of production.
  • Large numbers of beetles in litter applied to fields have produced concerns for surrounding houses as the displaced beetles often seek shelter in human dwellings and, in addition to being a nuisance, cause damage to property by burrowing into insulation.

Darkling Beetles

How BalEnce Helps You with Darkling Beetles Control

balEnce contains spores of Beauveria bassiana, a natural fungus specifically targeting darkling beetles.  The beetle picks up the spore, which then grows, multiplies, and causes the beetle’s death within one to five days, depending on exposure and environmental conditions.

The image shows spores and germ tubes of Beauveria bassiana. The spores germinate and attack the beetle’s exoskeleton, leading to its death.

  • balEnce is a biopesticide derived from the fungus Beauveria bassiana.
  • Targets beetles and larvae.
  • Naturally occurring and eco-friendly.
  • Safe for humans, animals, and beneficial insects.

Darkling Beetle Control - How Long Will it Take?

It will take several flock treatment cycles to significantly reduce the Number of Adult Beetles  — Here’s Why

  • The darkling beetle’s life cycle is 42 to 60+ days. It is shorter in summer.
  • Adults live over a year; eggs are laid in soil or litter.
  • Larvae prefer areas under feeders and house walls.
  • Eggs and pupae survive up to 4 months;
  • Control takes months and multiple flocks.
  • For effective control, treat areas near walls and under feeders regularly.
balEnce is Approved for Organic Production by the US Department Of Agriculture (USDA).
BalEnce, with Beauveria Bassiana, is Approved For Sale In Both the US and CANADA