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The pantry pest is an insect species that infiltrate homes, followed by the pantry. The insect species classified as pantry pests can infiltrate residential, industrial, and commercial establishments year-round. There is a broad range of insects and rodents that meet the pantry pest criteria. It is important, every property in the city, suburb, rural community, inner-city, Business District, town, and county be thoroughly inspected at least annually. Properties in high-risk areas, such as those in the business district may need to be inspected more often. Restaurants, grocery stores, hospital cafeterias, food manufacturing facilities, and catering services are at a higher risk of a pantry pest infestation.
Pantry Pest Food
Pantry pests feed on any accessible food products, stored on countertops, pantries, dining room tables, and kitchen cabinets. When pantry pests infiltrate a human habitat, they do not plan to leave without feeding. If food is accessible, the insects will feed periodically, never leaving your property. The pantry pest diet includes:
- Dry fruit, cereal, and pet food
- Walnuts, pecans, and almonds
- Powdered milk
- Cookies, candies, and crackers
- Bread, cupcakes, and muffins
- Spices
- Cornstarch, flour, and cornmeal
Some pantry pest species also feed on birdseed and tobacco products, such as cigarettes and cigars. With an endless supply of pantry food, the pantry pests will continue to procreate until an infestation develops.
Identify The Pantry Pest
Identifying the pantry pest will not be easy, with a large number of species. Instead of remembering all of the species’ unique features, get to know those that are found in your neighborhood. The Indian meal moth, saw-tooted grain beetle, and cigarette “tobacco” beetle are just a few examples. These pantry pest species are found throughout the United States
Cigarette Beetle “Tobacco Beetle” – The cigarette beetle, also called tobacco beetle, feeds in all stages of the life cycle. The adult measures one-eighth of an inch in length, ranging between reddish/brown dark brown. The “Lasioderma serricorne” has wings covered with a thin shell-like layer to add a layer of protection in flight, landing, and on takeoff.
Indian Meal Moth – The Indian meal moth is a unique pantry pest species, with layers of coloration covered by a lustrous, shiny copper. The adult grows up to ¾” in length. The “Plodia interpunctella” has two sets of wings – forewings and hind wings that are utilized for flying. The forewings are utilized to protect the flying wings.
Indian meal moths in the larvae life cycle stage feed on pantry foods. Adults do not ingest food, only the larvae. Instead of ingesting food, the mature female deposits her eggs in pantry foods, where they can eat immediately upon hatching.
The larvae spin cocoons to protect themselves when maturing into an adult.
Saw-Toothed Grain Beetle – The saw-tooted grain beetle classification originates from the insect’s conventional handsaw blade tooth-like projections, protruding from the right and left sides of the thorax. The adult grows up to one-tenth of an inch long, with a reddish/brown to a dark brown body.
Pantry Pest Infiltration And Infestation
Pantry pests target all properties, residential, industrial, and commercial. The insect species are searching for food when happening upon an entry point into your home. They infiltrate your home and luckily find the food stored in your pantry. The insects will continue to feed and procreate while growing the pantry population. If intervention is not implemented, a full-blown infestation will develop in a few months.
Pantry Pest Infestation Signs
- Live insects or rodents foraging on food in the pantry
- Small fecal droppings on countertops and other surfaces
- Cocoons hanging from the ceiling and other structures
- Tiny insects flying low over food and contaminated surfaces
Do Pantry Pests Transmit Diseases?
There is no evidence the saw-toothed or cigarette beetles or Indian meal moth pantry pests spread diseases to humans. However, some pantry pests have been known to cause illnesses related to contaminated fecal material. Foodborne illnesses are the result of ingesting food contaminated with bacteria in the pantry pest’s fecal matter.
Preventing A Future Pantry Pest Infiltration
With the help of our pest control experts, you can maintain a pantry pest-free home for as long as you are the owner. While the technician can devise a prevention strategy specifically for your home, only you and the other members of the household are responsible for implementation.
- Seal all entry points to prevent future infiltration of pantry pests
- Routinely remove household waste to a secure outdoor dumpster
- Routinely wash and air-dry food storage containers
- Routinely vacuum and wipe down pantries, countertops, and kitchen cabinets
- Update your food storage system, transitioning to glass or ceramic containers with resealable lids
- Learn how to inspect your home for signs of a pantry pest infestation
Fully Eradicating A Pantry Pest Infestation
A pantry pest extermination strategy is complex. In fact, treating pantry pest infestation is slightly more complicated than the cockroach, ant, flea, and termite infestation. These infestation cases involve a type of species, unlike pantry pest, which consists of a variety of insect species.
Our professional pest management is effective in treating mild to severe pantry pest infestation. We utilize a high-quality, high potency insecticide, combined with pest traps to wipe out pantry pests.
Removing the insects’ food supply will be a great place to start. We highly recommend transitioning from manufacturing food containers made of paperboard and plastic to stainless-steel containers. Beetles, even with their powerful mandibles will be unable to gnaw through stainless-steel, glass, and ceramic materials.
Pantry Pest Inspection
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Pesticide Safety
We implement a safety strategy with every pest control treatment. We strive to protect the environment and other clients to prevent chemical exposure. Our pest control product line consists of only brands approved by the Environmental Protection Agency “EPA”.
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