Pantry Pests

Pantry pests are common in our area, so you need to be ready to deal with them. Infestations usually occur after the resident has purchased contaminated food. Once this happens, you’re going to bring the pests home with you. Pantry pests or stored product pests will eat many of the foods in your home, including flour, dry pet food, bread, birdseed, crackers, powdered milk, and more. In our area, the most encountered pantry pests are saw-toothed grain beetles, cigarette beetle, and Indian meal moths. These pests tend to be found in our kitchens and pantries.

A pantry pest infestation will worsen rapidly since these pests live in their favorite food sources. Therefore, they can breed around the clock. In many cases, they can create a handful of generations every year.

Identifying Common Pantry Pests

Use the information below to identify the pantry pest species.

Indian Meal Moths

Indian meal moths are small and found around your kitchen. They have multiple colors, including a white or gray front. Their back half is coppery, and they have reddish-brown wings. The adult pests will not damage the food products in your home. Instead, the larvae cause most of the food damage. Indian meal moths are very difficult to eliminate. It is best to hire a professional to ensure you can fix the problem promptly.

Saw-Toothed Grain Beetles

The brown beetles are flat with slender bodies. They’re only a tenth of an inch at the maximum. They’re easy to identify because they have saw-like projections near their thorax. These pests of all ages are going to damage your food products. They are scavengers that will feed on many products, including cereal, dried fruit, cereal, and more. They’ll also consume pet food, rodent bait, and birdseed.

Cigarette Beetles

These beetles are light brown and only an eighth of an inch. With their humped back and fuzzy appearance, they’re easy to identify. These pests tend to eat cigarette products, including cigars and cigarettes. They’ll also eat your candy, cereal, and pet food.

Why You Have Pantry Pests

Many people blame themselves for pantry pest infestations, but this isn’t the case. Instead, you mistakenly brought them into your home. Pantry pests can hide in an assortment of food products. When you buy food from the store, there is a risk that the food package is going to contain pantry pests. You may take them home with you without realizing it. When this happens, the infestation is going to begin. Remember that an infestation can start with a few pantry pests before quickly worsening. They breed around the clock since they live in the food they eat.

Common Infestation Signs

Don’t forget to learn how to identify infestations. You never know when you’re going to encounter problems, so it is pertinent to be ready for anything. It is often difficult to identify an infestation since these pests blend in with the food they eat. They also hide in that food. You’ll likely realize you have a problem once you find moths and beetles around your food products.

How Dangerous Are Pantry Pests?

Pantry pests are going to freak you out. They’re nasty enough to make your skin crawl. Just remember that these pests are not dangerous. They do not spread illnesses, bite, or inject venom. Therefore, you don’t need to worry about them making you sick. Even if you swallow these pests or their larvae, they’re not going to make you sick. Don’t worry about this.

Preventing Pantry Pest Infestations

Be sure to take steps to keep pantry pests out of your home. Achieving this goal will make a big difference in the long run. Start by making sure that your food products are stored in durable containers. Once you’ve done this, the pantry pests won’t be able to enter the food. Plus, they won’t be able to escape.

• Keep your pantry and kitchen clean. Use your vacuum to get rid of leftovers and crumbs.
• Do not combine new food products with old ones. Doing so will cause both products to be infested.
• Always thoroughly clean food containers to avoid infestations.

Remember that you can detect an infestation by being patient. Place the food in a plastic bag and wait for a month or so. If you find bugs inside the bag, you have pantry pests.

Tackling An Infestation

Don’t stop until the infestation is dealt with properly. Otherwise, you’ll likely experience another infestation and it could be worse this time. One of the best ways to handle the problem is by teaming up with our exterminators. We have years of experience dealing with pantry pests. As a result, we know how to deal with this issue quicker than our competitors. When you’re ready to begin, contact us and we’ll begin working hard for you.

Alternatively, you can try doing it on your own. Start by disposing of any food products that have pantry pests. Toss them into a plastic bag before getting rid of them. Thoroughly clean your kitchen and pantry. Vacuum the area to get rid of pantry pests and eggs. Again, toss the debris into a plastic bag before throwing it away.

You can try using over-the-counter chemicals, but we do not recommend them. Some are dangerous and others will not work. Call us and we’ll put an end to the problem right away.

Timeline

We’re eager to help you solve this problem. Contact our office so we can call you back within 24 to 48 hours.

Safer Pantry Pest Treatments

We aim to provide our clients with safe, reliable solutions. To do this, we’re going to rely solely on natural and EPA-registered products. Our technicians are thoroughly trained so they can fix the problem while reducing the risks involved. Call us to learn more about the steps we take to protect our clients during the procedure.

Preventing Future Invasions

Unfortunately, it won’t be easy to keep pantry pests out of your home. It is wise to carefully inspect your food packages before storing them in your home. Just remember that we’re always here to help. Contact us and we’ll deal with the problem for you.

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