Date Posted: December 11, 2022
Category: Stored Product Pests
Aptly named because you will often find them inside packaged food that homeowners store in pantries or cupboards, pantry pests are a common cause of food contamination. Other sources of food contamination include pathogens such as bacteria, soil-based chemicals such as arsenic, and chemicals within pesticides used in agriculture. Many of the foods we consume are susceptible to pest infiltration along the way through stages, including food processing, transportation, storage, or reaching the retailers' shelves.
What are some of the most common household food products stored in cupboards or pantries that pests infiltrate? A variety of starchy, dried cereal products or baking ingredients, including cake mix, flour, corn meal, pasta, and rice. Sweets or fruits, such as raisins, dried apricots, or cookies, are also often targeted by pests.
How to get rid of pantry pest beetles? In situations where these invaders create a substantial infestation, consulting with a local pest control company is the best course of action. An experienced Milford pest control professional knows how to get rid of pantry pest moths, beetles, and larvae.
What Kind Of Bugs Invade Pantries And Cupboards?
A variety of pests appear in stored foods, such as Indian meal moths (Plodia interpunctella), which have a wingspan that often exceeds ½ of an inch and appear tan or reddish-brown. The Indian meal moth larvae are “worm-like” and whitish and reach lengths of ½ of an inch.
Several types of beetles are also common invaders, including saw-toothed grain beetles, drugstore beetles, and cigarette beetles. All three of these species have wings, but only the drugstore beetle and cigarette beetles will take flight. These beetles lay eggs that soon develop into grub or worm-like larvae that appear in shades of white, yellow, or cream.
Weevils such as rice, grain, or maize weevils are all types of beetles with a rather distinctive extended snout. The adults usually appear in darker red, brown, or black colors.
After entering boxes of dried foods, pantry pest larvae will begin developing in an environment with ample food supplies. Keep in mind that the majority of these creatures are highly efficient breeders. For example, a female Indian meal moth might generate hundreds of eggs in a rather short time frame.
Are Pantry Pests Dangerous?
Pantry pests are primarily nuisance pests, as they will not bite, sting, or otherwise harm humans. The largest concern involves the possibility of becoming ill after consuming contaminated food following a pantry pest intrusion. That’s why pantry pest control is your best solution.
Naturally Effective Ways To Prevent Pantry Pests In Your Home
How do you get pantry pests? This is a critical step when seeking to identify the best preventative measures for pantry pests. Consider the following tips:
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When grocery shopping, closely inspect packaged foods for any signs of damage.
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Keep cupboard areas clean by regularly removing crumbs and ensuring no food residue remains.
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After purchasing foods, consider transferring any weakly packaged items, such as those composed of thin plastic or flimsy cardboard, into durable containers made of hard plastic, glass, or metal that seal tightly.
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Implement preventative measures that prevent home intrusions, such as promptly repairing damaged window screens, placing sweeps along exterior doors, and filling gaps around windows with weatherstripping.
Remember to inform others in your household about the likely signs of pantry pest activity and the best ways of preventing potential infestations.
The Best Way To Get Rid Of Pantry Pests In Your Home
Online retailers and local home improvement stores today sell a variety of do-it-yourself treatment options, including pantry pest control products. Unfortunately, these store-bought products often prove ineffective against larger infestations and generate only short-term results. Seeking help from a professional pest controller is a much better solution.
Big Blue Bug Solutions is a well-established provider of pest control services in Milford that will get the job done quickly and safely. Contact our office today for assistance.
