Pantry Pest Identification & Prevention

What are pantry pests?

Pantry pests include certain types of beetles, moths, and weevils that feed on stored product items such as dry goods. Pantry pests can be very invasive and destructive inside of homes, grocery stores, drug stores, and food processing facilities. There are several types of common pantry pests that are found living and invading homes and business in the Kansas City Metro area. Some of these include Indian meal moths, sawtoothed grain beetles, weevils, carpet beetles, cigarette beetles, and drugstore beetles.

a saw toothed grain beetle inside of a home in blue springs missouri

Are pantry pests dangerous?

Pantry pests don’t bite, sting, or pose any significant health threats to people. They also don’t cause any structural damage. However, you don’t want pantry pests living inside of your home or business because they quickly infest food sources. Pantry pests have four stages of development - egg, larva, pupa, and adult.

Surprisingly, the adult stage is the least destructive, while the larval stage is the most destructive. Adult females lay their eggs on stored food products. Once the larvae hatch, they begin to feed on the dry goods, leaving behind excrement and saliva that you are likely to ingest.

Why do I have a pantry pest problem?

Adult pantry pests often enter buildings while foraging for food or searching for breeding sites. Pantry pests find a way into homes and businesses through small spaces around windows, doors, or screens. The most common way pantry pests enter properties is in packaged stored products that are purchased and already infested with eggs or larvae.

Where will I find pantry pests?

Pantry pests feed on a variety of dry food products stored in kitchens and pantries. Whole grains, beans, corn, pasta, flour, cereal, cornmeal, dried fruit, chocolate, cookies, and spices are all common food sources for pantry pests. Pantry pests breed and feed in a wide variety of places. These can include grocery stores, food processing facilities, food storage facilities, pharmacies, restaurants, kitchens, and basements.

How do I get rid of pantry pests?

To eliminate pantry pests from your home or business, partner with a professional pest control expert. At Augustine Exterminators we provide the advanced modern methods that will solve your unique pest problems and prevent future ones. Our trained and certified specialists offer homeowners effective and affordable pantry pest control services. To learn more about the residential and commercial pest control services we provide throughout the Greater Kansas City area, call Augustine Exterminators today!

How can I prevent pantry pests in the future?

Pantry pests can be difficult pests to prevent. There are some steps you can take to make your Kansas City Metro property less attractive to these invasive pests.

  • Keep pantries and other storage areas free of food debris.

  • Install weather stripping around windows and doors.

  • Avoid buying food from bulk bins.

  • Turn off outdoor lighting when not needed.

  • Make sure that door and window screens are intact.

  • Always store food in air-tight containers or the refrigerator.

  • Regularly rotate items in your pantry, discarding old or expired items.

  • Inspect food packaging before you purchase it. Don't buy food that has rips or tears in the packaging.

 

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