Table of Contents
Pantry Pests – What Type Of Insects Fall Within This Category?
- Pantry pests “stored product pests” invade homes and feast on processed food
- Pantry pest diet consists of dried cereal, uncooked pasta, cornstarch, flour, powdered milk, spices, bird seeds, crackers, dried nuts, dog food, and freeze-dried fruit
- Pantry pests are most often found in the kitchen and dining room, where they have quick and easy access to food. This also applies to the saw-toothed grain beetle, Indian meal moth, and cigarette beetle
- Pantry pests survive on processed food while continuously reproducing. A single adult pantry pest can produce eggs that can support multiple generations within 360 days
- Pantry pests invade tidy and unkempt homes
Pantry Pest Characteristics
Indian Meal Moth Pantry Pest
- The Plodia interpunctella, better known as the Indian meal moth, is a tiny multi-colored insect. The back is copper, the front light gray, and fore wings brownish red
- Indian meal moth larvae are to blame for the processed food damage related to pantry pest infestations
- Indian meal moths create cocoons for their young. To avoid humans, they will utilize the ceiling as an escape route
Saw-Toothed Grain Beetle Pantry Pest
- Oryzaephilius surinamensis, better known as the saw-toothed grain beetle, is a small beetle with a thin brown body that measures around 1/10 of an inch in length. The insect gets its name from the saw-toothed projections protruding from its thorax
- Adult and larvae saw-toothed grain beetles feast on processed food
- The saw-toothed grain beetle diet consists of dried cereal and fruit, candy, and flour. They will also feast on dried dog food, rat and mice bait, and birdseed
Cigarette Beetle Pantry Pest
- Lasioderma serricorne, better known as the cigarette beetle, is a hump-backed insect that is approximately 1/8” in length. The body is covered with fine hairs while the wings are clean
- The cigarette beetle’s diet mostly consists of tobacco materials. However, these pantry pests will also feast on dried cereal and fruit, candy, dried cat and dog food, dried pepper, spices, paprika, nuts, and chili powder
Why Is My Home Infested With Pantry Pests?
- Pantry pests are opportunist insects. They tend to invade homes that offer them the much-needed survival essentials, such as processed food
- Pantry pest infestations generally begin with one or more insects, reproducing until there is a large colony inside the infested home
- Pantry pests tend to breed around the clock as long as they have access to processed food
What Are The Most Common Signs Of A Pantry Pest Infestation?
- Insects that look like tiny grains of food
- Damaged food packages
- Flying insects like the moth
Are Pantry Pest Infestations Harmful?
- Some pantry pest species are not dangerous. These include the cigarette beetle, saw-toothed grain beetle, and Indian meal moth
- There is the risk of contaminated food
- The risk of ingesting pantry pest eggs is extremely high. But, there is no need to fret because they are not known to spread diseases or parasites to humans
How To Protect Your Home And Family From Pantry Pest Infestations?
- Keeping processed food stored in resealable containers is a great way to make your home look less enticing to pantry pests
- Keep cupboards neat, tidy, and free of food crumbs
- Throw outdated processed food in the trash bin, instead of combining it with a fresh supply
- Test processed food for pantry pest infestations by placing it inside a plastic bag. If the food is infested, it will be obvious by the moving larvae and insects
- Continuously replace outdated processed food
How To Eradicate Pantry Pest Infestations?
Eradicating pantry pest infestations is not a simple process. In fact, it is an ongoing process that requires strategy, patience, time, and EPA-approved pesticides. It is crucial to utilize a user-friendly approach when tackling pantry pest infestations. DIY and professional pest control will work as long as it involves the necessities.
It is perfectly okay to utilize a DIY pantry pest control approach. To help jumpstart your effort, a list of tips are provided in the content below.
- Remove all pantry pest-contaminated processed food products to the waste bin outside
- Clean out your cupboards and pantry to remove all larvae and insects.
- Place waste in a sealed plastic bag and remove to an outdoor waste bin
- Thoroughly wipe down all shelves, countertops, and cubbyholes with a disinfectant
Store-bought pesticides will not always work for this purpose. In these cases, it is crucial to contact our local Columbus office to schedule a free in-home inspection. We will help you create a pantry pest control strategy that will work.
How Long Will It Take The Exterminator To Arrive At My Home?
We can have a licensed exterminator dispatched out to your home within 24 to 48 hours of your initial pest control request.
Is Pantry Pest Control Products Harmful?
Any pesticide can be harmful when applied improperly. To avoid any potential health or damage risks, we recommend following the manufacturer’s recommendations and only utilizing EPA-approved pesticides. Our pest control solution is comprised of a combination treatment utilizing pesticides and traps.
Pantry Pest Prevention – Does It Work?
Our pantry pest management is guaranteed effective. We customize pest prevention strategies specific to each of our client’s homes. We will work with you to create an unfriendly environment inside your home to deter future pantry pest infestations.
If you have any other pest control issues please check out other services.