Controlling Darkling Beetles Helps Reduce Salmonella Transmission

Salmonella Enteritidis is the most common strain of Salmonella in our food supply and the most common serotype associated with poultry. The presence of darkling beetles in poultry production is an important risk factor in the transmission and infection of Salmonella within a poultry house.

There are a number of food safety, animal welfare and production implications associated with having a high darkling beetle population in a poultry house. Having an increased or unmanageable population of beetles in poultry houses can lead to increased bird mortality, reduced production, increased feed costs, and food safety and animal welfare concerns.

Transmission of Salmonella from Beetles to Poultry

Darkling beetles are disease vectors as they have the ability to obtain and transmit Salmonella within and between flocks. Transmission of Salmonella infection to poultry can occur by direct contact with beetles residing on the litter. Alternatively, birds may become infected by ingesting beetles carrying the pathogen.

Darkling beetles live in litter where they are exposed to bird feces that may be infected with Salmonella. These beetles can then carry Salmonella mechanically on the surface of their exoskeleton or inside their bodies. Salmonella is also able to persist in the adult and larval stages of a beetle, maintaining the ability to colonize within poultry flocks. Salmonella can also persist through pupation, meaning that adult beetles emerging after cleanout and disinfection can reinfect a poultry house.

Impact of Darkling Beetles on Broiler Production and Performance

Aside from being a silent Salmonella carrier, a beetle infestation can also have a negative impact on the productivity of broilers. Large populations of beetles cause birds to be restless as they feel the beetles moving in the litter under their feet. This causes the birds to bunch together in areas where beetle populations are lower. This puts the birds away from the feeders and drinkers, which is not optimal for bird health and growth.

A three-year study in Georgia demonstrated that controlling the beetle population resulted in 0.03 kg improvement in weight gain and a four-point improvement in feed conversion when compared to poultry houses with very few strategies in place to control the beetle population.¹

Darkling Beetle Control in Production

There are a number of things poultry producers can do to decrease the beetle population within broiler houses. By controlling these pests, producers are not only supporting the health and welfare of their birds, they are also helping lower the amount of Salmonella entering the processing plant.

When looking at strategies to control beetles, it is recommended to take a proactive approach. This builds a foundation that allows producers to reduce Salmonella transmission and infection at the farm level.

Beetle eradication isn’t a realistic long-term goal. What producers should focus on is pest management strategies that will keep acceptable beetle levels within broiler houses. By controlling the darkling beetle population, producers are in return able to help control Salmonella before birds enter a processing plant.

For more information on beetle management options contact your Elanco sales team.