You’re probably wondering, how did pantry pests get into my kitchen in the first place? It’s quite simple, they are almost always brought into the home on infested items we bring in from the outside. On occasion, insects seeking shelter may also fly in through an open door or window and take up residence in the pantry.
Pantry pests feed off food stored in cabinets and pantries such as cereal, flour, spices, nuts, cookies, pasta, grains, birdseed, and pet foods.
Types of cereal pests
Several types of insects feel at home in your pantry or cupboards. The most common pantry pests are the Indian meal moth, cigarette beetles, sawtoothed grain beetles, among others.
Indian meal moths
According to the University of Nebraska, the Indian meal moth is the most common pantry pest in North America. In larval form, meal moths are small, white, and about half an inch in length and can be found in grain products, seeds, dried fruit, dog food, and spices. As adults, they are brown and tan. Their forewings are reddish-brown with a copper sheen on the outer two thirds and gray on the inner third. The university noted that pheromone traps work well to attract and trap adults. Food infested with larvae should be thrown away. To prevent infestation, seal all dry foods tightly, and monitor for holes in paper bags.
Cigarette beetles
These beetles are reddish-brown and have a rounded, oval shape. They are typically between two and three millimeters in length, making them hard to spot. According to Pennsylvania State University, cigarette beetles have been known to feed on dried fruit, spice, seeds, and rice. Of course, as the name implies, they are a significant pest wherever dried tobacco (leaves, cigars, cigarettes, or chewing tobacco) are stored. Control typically means tossing out infested items and sealing the rest of the items in plastic containers. The university warned not to overlook pet food, as beetles will often infest that as well.
Sawtoothed grain beetles
These beetles are brownish-red to almost black. Adults are 2.5-3mm long (approx. 1/8 inch. They are identified by the saw-like teeth on each side of the prothorax. They are found in many food items including, cereals, pasta, seeds, dog and cat food, dried meat, and flour. The University of Minnesota reported that sawtooth beetle mature larvae are less than 3mm (1/8 inch) long, cream-colored and slender, often making them difficult to spot, especially in light-colored grains. If you see adult beetles in your pantry, there's a good chance there are also larva nearby. You can eliminate all stages by exposing these pests to temperatures of -18C (0F) for 24 hours. Just remember, the core of the products you are freezing must reach these temperatures, and more than 24 hours is generally required.
Check all the packaging before you bring grains, beans and dried fruit into your home. Prevention is the best form of control.
You probably already know that most people are repulsed by the simple sight of cockroaches. If you are personally dealing with a cockroach infestation, the feelings of disgust are probably even more intense. Unfortunately, the cold winter weather tends to be one of the reasons this pest ends up in your home in the first place, according to Any Pest. While you may know that you don't want to share your home with cockroaches this winter, there are a number of interesting facts about this pest that you've probably never heard.
Because of the high amount of traffic and the versatility of the facilities, pests are naturally attracted to long-term care institutions. Many nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and other care facilities include on-site kitchens and cafeterias as well as private rooms and common spaces. All of these places are susceptible to attracting pests because of the presence of food, water and viable habitats.
During the summer months, some people love to go camping with family and friends. Yet this fun trip can be ruined with a few unwanted visitors, most notably different types of bugs. Crawling spiders, hungry mosquitoes and buzzing flies can become annoying quickly. How can you avoid these pests when you're outdoors? Consider these tips to keep bugs out of your campsite.
Carpenter ants can chew through the strongest studs and stringers in a house as they hollow the wooden beams out for nesting. The resulting damage can weaken the home's structural support and require expensive repairs. Professional pest control workers can remove a colony of ants, but the best practice for homeowners is to learn the best ways to keep out an ant colony and prevent the problem before it begins.
As the weather cools, you'll probably see fewer pests than you did during the warmer months, but that doesn't mean they're all gone just yet. Some insects can actually come out in full force during the autumn, while others might seek refuge in your warm home. Here are some key tips to keep in mind as fall gets underway:
As the middle of summer approaches, you need to be vigilant about keeping your garden free of pests. Many insects breed during the summertime, which means they're on the lookout for great places to lay their eggs. For many bugs, that means near a source of food. In fact, some species of insects will lay their eggs inside budding vegetables and fruit so their larvae have something to eat as soon as they hatch. That's why you have to keep harmful bugs out without damaging the bugs that could help you, such as bumble bees.
