Conquering Pantry Pests: Tips And Techniques For A Bug-Free Kitchen In Hartford

November 16, 2023

In: Pantry Pests

If you keep products like flour in your pantry, you should be on the watch for pantry pests invading. These bugs can ruin many types of food and baking ingredients relatively quickly, leaving you with an unsettled feeling.

There are a number of steps that you can take to keep pantry pests away from your Hartford home. However, the most effective option is to seek pantry pest control from a professional pest control company like American Pest Solutions. We’ve been in business for more than 100 years, so you can count on us to be there for you now and well into the future.

Signs Of Pantry Moths In The House: How To Spot The Culprits

One of the most common pantry pests in the Hartford area is the Indian meal moth, also called a pantry moth. These bugs often enter the home through packaged food or bags of flour that have the insect eggs in them. Eventually, they hatch and mature, creating tiny gray and brown moths that measure up to ⅜ of an inch in length. 

Unfortunately, the eggs of the Indian meal moths are almost invisible. It’s doubtful you’d notice these pantry pests until they reach the larval stage, where they resemble small worms. If you are worried about this problem, closely inspect any pantry products and ingredients for bugs before you use them.

Pantry Pest Larvae: The Silent Destroyers Of Your Food

Because the pantry pest larvae are so small, they’re tough to see. They also often have a pale white color, which allows them to blend in with ingredients like flour or powdered milk. They’re difficult to notice because the larvae can suddenly appear. The female moths may have laid their eggs in the packaging facility, and the adults don’t need to be present in your bag of food for the eggs to hatch. Consequently, you won’t necessarily see moths before larvae appear in your food.

These larvae can ruin and contaminate your food in multiple ways:

• They leave silky webs behind as they move.
• They leave droppings behind.
• They can shed skins and leave egg shells inside the food.

You could have a few hundred eggs inside your food from these pantry moths without even knowing it, leading to a significant population of larvae after they hatch. They may even eat through cardboard or plastic to move from one source of food to another.

Preventing Pantry Pests In The House: Key Steps To Take

It’s tough to eliminate kitchen pantry pests once they’re inside your home. The pros at American Pest Solutions have proven techniques that provide the results you want to see.

You should regularly inspect food packages for signs of moths or larvae. Immediately discard any contaminated food packages. Then, move your other food into airtight containers made of glass or rigid plastic to keep any moths from escaping and entering other food packages. Clear glass and plastic make it easier to see the larvae wriggling around inside without having to open them.

Professional Pantry Pest Control: When To Call In The Experts

As soon as you see signs of bugs invading your pantry, it’s time to seek help from the team at American Pest Solutions. We offer one-time treatments, ongoing visits and inspections, and emergency pest control for our customers in Hartford. 

Don’t wait, hoping that the pests will go away on their own. Once these bugs find their way into one of your pantry’s food sources, they’re sure to keep going through additional food and ingredients. Having to replace multiple items in your pantry can be quite expensive. Let our team take care of your infestation as quickly as possible to keep your food safe.

To receive an evaluation and quote, reach out to American Pest Solutions today.