Table of Contents
What Is A Pantry Pest?
Pantry pests are also referred to as stored product pests. It accounts for a group of pests that consume dried, processed food products stored in homes across the country. These pests are going to consume a variety of foods including flour, dry pasta, dry pet food, crackers, spices, bread, fruit, cereal, and more. While this name is used to describe various pests, the most common pantry pests include saw-toothed grain beetles, Indian meal moths, and cigarette beetles. These pests are often found in kitchens across California.
One unique thing about pantry pests is the fact that they’ll breed continuously since they live with their food source. Thanks to this, they’re able to produce several generations each year. While you might be embarrassed by a pantry pest infestation, you should remember that it has nothing to do with the cleanliness of your home.
What Do Pantry Pests Look Like?
Indian Meal Moths
Indian meal moths are small and feature reddish brown forewings. On their back halves, they’re going to have a coppery color. The front half is a combination of white and gray. Indian meal moth larvae destroy your food. They will target various dried food products, and they’re very difficult to eliminate from your home. If you don’t target the problem immediately, there is a risk that they’ll crawl on your ceilings and build cocoons in other rooms.
Saw-toothed Grain Beetles
Saw-toothed grain beetles feature a slender body. They’re flat and brown with most growing 1/10ths of an inch. Furthermore, they will feature six tooth projections that resemble saws. Saw-toothed grain beetle adults and larvae will eat dried food products. They generally consume products that are loose or open. For instance, they’re going to consume cereals, candy, and dried food.
Cigarette Beetles
These beetles grow up to 1/8th of an inch and are light brown. They feature a humped back along with smooth wing covers. They have a fuzzy appearance thanks to body hairs. While they usually eat cured tobacco, they’ll eat pet door, nuts, candy, and cereal once invading your home. They’ll also target wreaths, spices, and pepper arrangements.
Why Do I Have Pantry Pests?
In most cases, you have pantry pests because you brought them into your home. You likely brought them in through packaged foods that were infested previously. There is also a chance that the pests entered your home from outside. Infestations usually start with a couple of insects before quickly spiraling out of control. Once they’ve obtained access to a food source, they’ll eat and reproduce consistently.
What Are The Signs Of A Pantry Pest Infestation?
It is easy to ignore a pantry pest infestation because the pest often hides in your food. They blend into your food. To confirm you have a pantry pest infestation, you should look for small moths around your food. You can also search for beetles around your food packages. Since they’re attracted, you can use this to identify a potential infestation.
Are Pantry Pests Dangerous?
While most pantry pests are not dangerous, they can create problems for homeowners. You have to remember that these pests are going to contaminate your food. Once you’ve confirmed that you have pantry pests, you’ll need to toss out the old food and replace it. You’re going to waste a lot of money due to the infestation. You can ingest the insects and eggs without getting sick, but you still don’t want this to happen.
How Can I Prevent Pantry Pest Infestations?
You’ll want to do everything possible to reduce the likelihood that you’re going to experience a future pantry pest infestation. Thankfully, there are several things you can do. Be sure to use the following steps to reduce the risk.
- Make sure that your food is stored in airtight containers. Don’t use paper or cardboard because the larvae will be able to chew through both materials.
- It is a good idea to clean your pantry shelves several times a month or more often. All food crumbs should be removed and disposed of properly.
- You can test for an infestation by using a clear plastic bag. Store your potentially infested food in there and wait. Keep the bag for a month to make sure it is free of pests.
- Old containers should be cleaned thoroughly before using them to store food.
How Do I Get Rid Of Pantry Pests?
You can try to get rid of pantry pests but you’ll likely have difficulty. Unfortunately, they blend in with their environment so it’ll be harder to get rid of them than you might imagine. Furthermore, most DIY techniques are not going to work. You’ll need to identify the source of the problem before moving forward. You can use the tips below when attempting to eliminate a pantry pest infestation.
- Get rid of any items that might be infested. Place them in a plastic bag and seal the bag before disposing of it.
- All items from the pantry shelves should be removed. Then, you’ll want to use a vacuum the shelves to get rid of the pests, eggs, and pupae. The vacuum bag should be placed in a sealed, plastic bag before tossing it in the trash.
- Clean the pantries thoroughly before reusing them.
Unfortunately, many DIY techniques are not going to work. If you want reliable results, you need to depend on professional services. We recommend hiring us. We provide cost-effective solutions that will work. In addition to this, we offer free inspections and follow-up visits.
How Soon Can You Begin?
Our technician can reach and begin treating your home in 24 to 48 hours.
Are The Treatments Safe?
We believe in providing our clients with safe, effective solutions. We follow strict guidelines imposed by the EPA and only use EPA-registered products. We’ll make sure that our clients are going to be protected to the fullest. We wouldn’t use any chemicals that could pose a risk to you, your loved ones, or your pets. We’ll discuss your options with you and let you know how to protect yourself once the treatment is finished.
How Can I Stop Future Infestations?
Unfortunately, it is not easy to get rid of pantry pests. Nevertheless, there is an easy solution to the problem. All you’ll want to do is contact us. We can get rid of the pests quickly. You’ll also want to make sure that all of your processed and dried foods are properly stored in airtight containers. Make sure that the pests will not be able to enter your food containers easily. Finally, be sure that your pantries remain clean at all times. Get rid of food crumbs to keep these pests away from your home.
If you have any other pest control issues please check out other services.
Locations We Serve In Los Angeles, California
Adelanto, San Clemente, Capistrano Beach, Santa Paula, San Juan Capistrano, Dana Point, Avalon, Rialto, Ladera Ranch, Bloomington, Laguna Niguel, Somis, Rancho Santa Margarit, Mission Viejo, Laguna Beach, Camarillo, Fillmore, Aliso Viejo, Trabuco Canyon, Lake Hughes, Riverside, Laguna Hills, Pinon Hills, Lancaster, Phelan, Fontana, Lake Forest, Lytle Creek, Foothill Ranch, Silverado, Mira Loma, Wrightwood, Norco, Llano, Moorpark, Newport Coast, Valyermo, El Toro, Corona Del Mar, Corona, Piru, Newbury Park, Rancho Cucamonga, Guasti, Littlerock, East Irvine, Palmdale, Thousand Oaks, Newport Beach, Pearblossom, Irvine, Mt Baldy, Westlake Village, Upland, Ontario, Costa Mesa, Tustin, Brandeis, Chino, Oak Park, Montclair, Agoura Hills, Acton, Simi Valley, Chino Hills, Claremont, Stevenson Ranch, Villa Park, Fountain Valley, Santa Ana, Santa Clarita, Castaic, Valencia, Canyon Country, Yorba Linda, Atwood, Orange, La Verne, Newhall, Malibu, Pomona, Midway City, Huntington Beach, Westminster, Sunset Beach, Placentia, Calabasas, Surfside, Diamond Bar, Chatsworth, San Dimas, San Pedro, Garden Grove, Canoga Park, West Hills, Seal Beach, Stanton, Glendora, Anaheim, Rancho Palos Verdes, Brea, Winnetka, Walnut, Woodland Hills, Granada Hills, Palos Verdes Peninsula, Topanga, Los Alamitos, Fullerton, Cypress, Rowland Heights, Azusa, Covina, San Fernando, Lomita, Buena Park, Sylmar, Tarzana, Mission Hills, Hawaiian Gardens, La Habra, Harbor City, La Palma, Wilmington, Signal Hill, Northridge, North Hills, Reseda, West Covina, La Mirada, Pacific Palisades, Cerritos, Duarte, Hermosa Beach, Artesia, Hacienda Heights, Encino, Baldwin Park, Lakewood, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Monrovia, La Puente, Sunland, City Of Industry, Torrance, Carson, Norwalk, Long Beach, Tujunga, El Segundo, Sun Valley, Santa Monica, Venice, Lawndale, Bellflower, Marina Del Rey, Van Nuys, Toluca Lake, Panorama City, Pacoima, Santa Fe Springs, Sierra Madre, Sherman Oaks, Mount Wilson, Gardena, Paramount, Hawthorne, Valley Village, Arcadia, El Monte, Whittier, South El Monte, Temple City, Altadena, Compton, Montrose, La Canada Flintridge, Playa Del Rey, Pico Rivera, Downey, Verdugo City, Lynwood, Studio City, Culver City, Burbank, Rosemead, Inglewood, South Gate, San Marino, San Gabriel, West Hollywood, Universal City, North Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Bell Gardens, Montebello, La Crescenta, Bell, Pasadena, South Pasadena, Huntington Park, Bel Air, Maywood, Monterey Park, Alhambra, Glendale
Zip Codes We Service in Los Angeles, California
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