Pantry Pests breed quickly, which can allow their population to spiral out of control in short periods of time. Keeping pantry pests out in the first place preserves food ingredients. The following information provides a better understanding of these common pests, and how proper storage and pest control in Fort Worth can rid your home of them.
Merchant Grain Beetles and Saw Toothed Grain Beetles
Grain beetles are usually detected when homeowners find the pests in pantry products or on surfaces such as counters or shelves. Saw toothed grain beetles appear very similar to Merchant grain beetles. The Merchant grain beetle is capable of flight, while the Saw Toothed beetle is not. Both are scavenger feeders, meaning you aren’t likely to find them in whole grain foods.
These beetles can typically be found throughout the year in pantries. Grain beetles prefer cereals, cake mixes, macaroni, cookies, pasta, flour, dried fruits, dried meats, and chocolate.
Grain beetles can quickly take over food products and contaminate them. Their body shape allows them to get into sealed cardboard packaging and soft plastic packaging where they eat, live and reproduce, allowing infestations to grow quickly. It is the larvae that do most of the damage, but the adult beetle is what is commonly found. If you have an infestation, discard of contaminated foods, vacuum the cabinets thoroughly, and call for pest control in Fort Worth.
Pantry Pest Control
Control of these beetles requires the inspection for and removal of infested food products, and pest control in Fort Worth. Non-infested foods should be transferred product into tightly sealed plastic, metal or glass containers.
Vacuuming the shelves, including the corners using a crevice tool is also suggested followed by sealing and disposing of the vacuum bag.
Contact The Bug Dude for pest control in Fort Worth to stop the cycle of these insects in your home.
Indian Meal Moths
Indian meal moths, commonly called “meal bugs“, are found throughout the United States, although they are not native to the U.S. These moths are attracted to light and any area where food is stored, including pantries and cabinets. They enjoy a more varied diet than grain beetles and prefer to feed on dried fruits and vegetables, grains like flour and cornmeal, pasta, cereals, seeds, spices, nuts, chocolate, candies, pet food (especially bird seed) and powdered milk.
Other sources to check include dried fruits, dried flowers, nuts, and decorative wall hangings containing food products such as nuts, beans or spices. A thorough cleaning and professional pest control in Fort Worth is the best means of eradication when multiple sites of infestation are present. Food should always be stored in plastic, metal or glass containers with airtight, secure lids to keep Indian meal moths out.
Bean Weevil
The most common pest of stored legumes, such as beans, cowpeas and peas in is the common bean weevil, though they will feed on almost any food source. The bean weevil is not a true weevil. They are members of the closely related seed beetle family.
If a bean weevil infestation is found vacuum the area, and contact The Bug Dude for pest control in Fort Worth. Store beans in tightly sealed plastic, glass or metal containers.
Additional Tips to Keep Dry Foods Safe
A number of people freeze products such as flour and corn meal to kill any bugs that may be present after purchase. Due to the density of a 5 lb. bag of grain product, 5 days should be the minimum in the freezer. Just allow the product to sit out until fully at room temperature before storing.
An additional tip that manufacturers routinely use is absorbent products are oxygen absorber packs. Along with glass canning jars, these little gems can be your best friend for storing dry foods such beans, pasta, and rice. Oxygen absorbers contain an iron powder which reacts with the oxygen in the air within the jar, causing the iron powder to rust. Rusting uses up the oxygen in the glass jars storing your dry food product, any insects present will die. They provide other benefits including:
- Extends the storage life (beans are still good after 20 years according to experts).
- Prevents growth of aerobic (requiring oxygen) pathogens and organisms that can spoil food, including mold.
- Eliminates the need for chemical additives such as BHA, sulfur dioxide, benzoates, or others.
- Use with vacuum packaging to absorb virtually all oxygen and absorb any oxygen that may permeate the package for the most complete protection of dry foods.
- Contained in a sealed packet that allows oxygen and moisture to be absorbed, the packets are safe to place on top of food. If the container is later opened to remove part of the food, discard the old packet and replace with a new one before resealing the jar. They reach their maximum absorption in about 4 Hours.
Summary
Routine vacuuming of cabinets and cleaning, with routine inspection and disposal of infested goods will assist in keeping pests out of your food. By freezing flour, meal and rice after purchase and before storing, and the use of airtight containers for storage, pantry pests can be kept under control. Routine treatment of your home with pest control in Fort Worth will reduce the incidence of pantry pests.
Pantry pests can rapidly take over your kitchen. If you suspect an infestation, contact The Bug Dude for pest control in Fort Worth. The Bug Dude professionals serve Fort Worth and the surrounding areas.
