Pantry Pests

Understanding Pantry Pests

Pantry pests create a unique problem. They’re also referred to as stored product pests because they consume dried, processed food found in your home. They can sneak into your home and consume flour, dry pasta, powdered milk, spices, bread, dried fruit, dry pet food, and more items. The term pantry pest is used to describe a handful of pests, but the most common are the Indian meal moth, cigarette beetle, and saw-toothed grain beetle. There is a risk that you’re going to find these pantry pests in your kitchen at some point.

Since they live in the food they consume, they can reproduce rapidly. In addition to this, it is hard to identify the problem because the pests blend in with their food. Although you’ll want to fix the problem rapidly, remember that pantry pests have nothing to do with how well you’ve cleaned your home.

Common Pantry Pests

Below, you’ll learn more about the most common pantry pests.

Indian Meal Moths

Indian meal moths are one of the most common pantry pests. They are small moths that are multi-colored. Their forewings are reddish-brown but their back half is copper in color. When it comes to Indian meal moths, you have to worry more about their larvae. The larvae cause most of the damage to your food products, and they’ll consume an assortment of dried food products in your home.

Unfortunately, getting rid of Indian meal moths is hard. The moths will crawl on your ceiling and build cocoons.

Saw-Toothed Grain Beetles

Saw-toothed grain beetles are slender and flat. These brown beetles are roughly a tenth of an inch. If you look at both sides of their thorax, you will find tooth projects that look like saws. When dealing with a saw-toothed grain beetle infestation, you have to worry about the larvae and adults because both feed on the products found in your home. These pests feed on a handful of products, including dried fruit, cereal, and candy. You can also find them eating rodent bait and birdseed.

Cigarette Beetles

Cigarette beetles are generally an eighth of an inch. They have a humpback with smooth wings. Thanks to body hairs, cigarette beetles look like they have a fuzzy body. As the name suggests, cigarette beetles prefer consuming cigars, cigarettes, and cured tobacco. However, they’ll eat some of the foods found in your home too. For instance, they will consume pet food, candy, nuts, and cereals.

Reasons For Pantry Pests

Why are pantry pests going to invade your home? Did you fail to clean your home cleanly enough? In all likelihood, it was nothing you did or didn’t do. The problem is that you purchased products that contained pantry pests. The pests were living in the packaged food products you bought. When you brought them home, you brought the pests home too.

An infestation can start with a few pests before quickly spiraling out of control. Since they live in their food source, they breed around the clock. They can normally produce two, three, or more generations each year.

Signs Of Pantry Pest Infestations

Are you concerned that your home may have pantry pests? If so, you’ll need to check immediately. Unfortunately, pantry pests are small and blend in with their favorite food source. As a result, they’re not easy to spot. If you have pantry pests, there is a good chance that you’re going to find moths flying around your kitchen. You may find beetles in the food packages as well. Check around the lights because the moths are attracted to nearby light sources.

Pantry Pest Dangers

How much do you have to worry about the dangers of pantry pests? Well, most pantry pests aren’t dangerous. Saw-toothed grain beetles, Indian meal moths, and cigarette beetles aren’t physically dangerous. They’re not going to bite or transmit disease. There is always a chance that you’re going to consume a pantry pest or its eggs. If this happens, you’ll likely be okay. Nevertheless, it is a good idea to prevent this from happening.

The biggest problem with pantry pests is that they’re going to destroy your food products. Replacing those products regularly will be expensive.

Preventing Pantry Pests From Invading

To prevent pantry pest infestation, use the tips below.

• Make sure your food products are stored in airtight containers. Pantry pest larvae chew through cardboard and paper.
• Take time once or twice a week to properly clean your pantry. Get rid of food leftovers and crumbs.
• When purchasing new food products, make sure you add them to new, clean containers.
• Are you worried something is infested? If so, you should place the food in a plastic bag and let it sit on the shelf for a month or so. If it is infested, you’ll find pests in the bag.
• Before reusing containers, clean them thoroughly.

Dealing With Pantry Pest Infestations

Unfortunately, eliminating a pantry pest infestation won’t be easy. The problem is that these pests blend in with their food sources. As a result, they’re going to remain hidden at all times. You won’t be able to eliminate the problem with DIY methods unless you know where they’re hiding. If you want to fix the problem without professional assistance, use the tips below.

• Get rid of any products that might be infested with pantry pests. Put the products in plastic bags before throwing them out.
• Clean your shelves regularly. Remove all of the items and vacuum the shelves to get rid of crumbs, pests, and eggs. Dump the vacuum’s contents into a plastic bag before throwing it away.
• Wipe down the shelves and walls too.

Sadly, some DIY methods are ineffective. These products could be dangerous around humans and pets. If you’re not careful, you may misuse them and get yourself sick. It is best to avoid these risks by working with our company.

When Can You Come?

Contact our local office to schedule an appointment today. Our representative will be able to respond within days.

Our Pantry Pest Solutions Are Safe

We’re thrilled to provide our clients with safe pantry pest solutions. We always use EPA-registered products to ensure that our clients are going to be protected to the fullest. These products do not pose risks to humans, plants, or pets. Whether you’re a parent or pet lover, you’ll want to use our services to protect the ones you love.

Preventing Future Problems

Pantry pests are problematic across the United States. When purchasing food products, make sure that they’re free of pantry pests. don’t forget to store these items in airtight containers. Finally, clean your pantry regularly to avoid problems.

If you have any other pest control issues please check out other services.