Hi Brad,

I suspect that is a violet checkered beetle (Necrobia violacea). These insects typically feed on carrion, but they can be stored product pests, specifically on animal products. I suspect these beetles are feeding on animal products in your kitchen. This includes, but is not limited to:

• bones
• cat or dog food
• dried or smoked meats
• jerky
• bacon

These beetles have also been found feeding on oil seeds and aged cheeses. 

To manage these insects, thoroughly inspect your pantry for food items that fall into any of these categories. Infested items should be discarded after being frozen for 72 hours. This will kill the beetles and their larvae/eggs. For freezing to be effective, your freezer must maintain freezing temperatures. Older freezers sometimes fail to do this. 

I recommend against trying to consume any infested items, even for milder infestations. These insects are not commonly known to vector disease, but they are carrion feeders. It's possible that a beetle feeding on carrion made its way into the home, potentially serving as a mechanical vector of whatever organisms were on the carrion. 

Any uninfested or newly purchased items should be placed in sealed, high quality containers to prevent further infestation. By high-quality, I mean that thin plastics (e.g. plastic grocery bags) can be chewed through by these insects. Thick tupperwares provide a more effective bulwark. 

Consider placing glue boards in your pantry/kitchen to trap and kill any wandering individuals. 

Insecticides do not have a role in managing these insects. 

Most importantly, you should make your home as weatherproof as possible. These insects usually invade through unsealed gaps along doors, windows, vents, electrical sockets, etc. These gaps can be sealed with caulk to prevent insects from entering through them. These gaps are made more apparent in winter because you can feel cold air leaking through them.