Pantry Pest Control: A Useful Guide For Western Massachusetts Homeowners

September 24, 2023

In: Pantry Pests

Discovering pantry pests in your food can be alarming, especially if you’ve never seen or heard of these pests before. Pantry pests are insects like moths and beetles that attack foods like spices, flour, chocolate, dry pet food, and cereals. This guide explains everything you need to know about these food-infesting pests and how to deal with them when they get into your pantry products.

We’ll start by describing the most common types of pantry pests and explain the damage they can do. We’ll also provide tips for storing food to keep these troublesome insects out. Read on to learn more about effective pantry pest control in Western Massachusetts with the pros at American Pest Solutions. 

Types of Pantry Pests: A Comprehensive Overview

The first step in controlling pests is proper identification. The larvae of these pests look similar to grubs or worms and are large enough to see in the food. The following list includes descriptions of the most common pantry pest beetles and moths:

• Cigarette and drugstore beetles are reddish-brown with a cylindrical, oval shape.
• Sawtoothed and merchant grain beetles are reddish-brown and have a narrow, oval, flat shape.
• Confused flour and red flour beetles are shiny reddish-brown bodies with a flat oval shape.
• Warehouse and cabinet beetles are solid black to yellowish mottled brown, oblong, and the larvae are hairy.
• Indian meal moths are gray to reddish brown and about 1/2 an inch long.

If you have trouble identifying or eliminating these pests in your home, American Pest Solutions is here to help. Contact us today to learn more about our pantry pest services or to get your evaluation.

Pantry Pest Damage: How They Ruin Stored Food

Pantry pests contaminate the food they infest with secretions, webbing, droppings, and hair. Eating foods infested with warehouse beetle hairs can irritate your mouth and digestive tract. These pests also introduce microbes that cause food to rot, especially in warm, humid conditions.

Unfortunately, by the time people notice an infestation, they have already spread to other products in the cabinet. If you see any pantry pest larvae, beetles, or moths in your home, you’ll need to throw away any food with evidence of them and thoroughly clean the cabinets. If that doesn’t eliminate the problem, contact us at American Pest Solutions for help getting rid of pantry pests.

Sealing The Deal: How To Properly Store Food To Deter Pantry Moths

Proper food storage can significantly reduce the chances of another infestation. Here are some tips to prevent pantry pests from infesting and contaminating your food:

• Check food packages for damage before purchasing them.
• Store products you buy in bulk, like pet food, in air-tight containers.
• Store food that you use less frequently, like flour or spices, in the freezer.
• Transfer food from packages to glass or plastic containers with tight seals.
• Regularly check the expiration date on packages in your pantry and eliminate any past their date.

If you continue to have problems with these pests, the pros at American Pest Solutions are here to help. Contact us today to learn more about our pantry moth and beetle pest control services.

Pantry Pest Extermination: When To Call In The Professionals For Help

If the pantry pest problem still exists after throwing away all possibly contaminated food and thoroughly cleaning the cabinets, it is time to call in the pros. Contact us today at American Pest Solutions to request your evaluation or to schedule an appointment to get rid of your pantry pest problem.