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Pantry pests are often referred to as stored product pests. As the name implies, these pests are going to invade your home and attack your food products. These pests tend to go after processed and dried foods found in your home. They’re problematic because they’re going to attack your flour, dry pasta, dry pet food, cornstarch, crackers, bread, spices, and dried nuts. They’ll consume many of the dried food products in your home. There are numerous pests that fit into the pantry pest category.
However, some are more common than others. In Louisville, the most common pantry pests are cigarette beetles, Indian meal moths, and saw-toothed grain beetles. These pests are often found in kitchens and pantries across our city. Pantry pests hide and live in the food they eat. As a result, they’re able to breed around the clock. They will never stop breeding. In most cases, pantry pests will produce a few generations every year. Even if you clean your home three times a day, you may run into a pantry pest problem.
What They Look Like
Remember that every pantry pest is different. Therefore, you need to learn how to identify them so you’ll know what you’re dealing with.
Indian Meal Moths
Indian meal moths are common in our area. They’ll small with multiple colors. For instance, they’re reddish-brown in one area and whitish gray on the other end. These moths are difficult to eliminate, but you primarily have to worry about the larvae. They’re responsible for most of the product damage in your home. It doesn’t help that they’re going to consume an assortment of food products.
The moths will fly around your kitchen and spin cocoons. They can build cocoons in your kitchen and other rooms. Get rid of them quickly by working with a qualified exterminator.
Saw-Toothed Grain Beetles
Saw-toothed grain beetles are very common in Louisville, Ohio. Unfortunately, these pests can invade your home at any point. Therefore, you need to take steps to prepare for them. In general, saw-toothed grain beetles grow up to a tenth of an inch. They’re flat, slender, and brown. You will notice that these pests have tooth projections on both sides of the thorax. They look a bit like saws. Adult saw-toothed grain beetles and the larvae will consume dried food items in your home. They’re going to consume an assortment of products, including candy, cereal, flour, dried fruit, pet food, and birdseed.
From time to time, they’ll consume rodent bait.
Cigarette Beetles
Cigarette beetles are commonly found in our area. They’re light brown and roughly an eighth of an inch. They have a humped back and body hairs that make them look fuzzy. Their wing covers are smooth. As you can tell from the name, these pests love eating tobacco products. For instance, they prefer cured tobacco, cigars, and cigarettes. However, they can eat other foods in your home too. They’ll consume cereal, candy, nuts, and pet food.
They’ll consume spices from time to time.
Reasons You Have Pantry Pests
Are you wondering why pantry pests have decided to invade your home? Well, pantry pests have invaded your home because they want to consume your food. They often invade a home by hiding in your food products. They may enter your home from outside, but this doesn’t happen often. Remember that it only takes a few pests to create a full-blown infestation. Therefore, you cannot ignore the problem.
If you do, it will quickly worsen. Since pantry pests live in their food sources, they are difficult to spot and they breed rapidly. Getting rid of them won’t be ready since you have to identify the problem first.
Signs Of Pantry Pest Problems
It is wise to learn how to identify pantry pest problems before they occur. For instance, you should know what to look for. These pests are difficult to identify because they’re small and hide in their favorite foods. Most people won’t realize that they have a problem until they find moths around their kitchen. Once you’ve found them, you need to carefully check your food products to see if you have pantry pests.
Dangers
Although pantry pests are annoying and concerning, they’re not dangerous. Therefore, you don’t need to worry about pantry pests making you sick. They do not bite or sting. There is always a risk that you’re going to eat a pantry pest and its eggs. If this happens, you shouldn’t worry about it too much. They’re not going to make you sick. Nevertheless, you don’t have to worry about getting sick. The primary issue with pantry pests is that they’re going to destroy your food products.
Get rid of them quickly or the costs are going to increase rapidly.
Preventing Infestations
You’ll want to take steps to ensure that pantry pests do not invade your home. There are plenty of wants to minimize the risks. Take steps to make sure that your food products are protected. Store food in airtight containers with secure lids. Once you’ve done that, the pests won’t be able to enter your food packages easily. Next, you’ll need to clean your pantry regularly. Make sure that you clean your walls, shelves, counters, and other surfaces. Clean your pantry from top to bottom to ensure it is clean.
When purchasing food products, do not store the new food with new food. Use new containers. Alternatively, you can clean the container thoroughly before using it again. Remember that you can test to see if one of your food products is infested. To do so, place it in a plastic bag. Let the bag sit on your counter for a month. If you find pests in the bag, you have pantry pests and need to call a professional.
Eliminating Pantry Pests
Once you’ve found pantry pests in your home, it is time to get rid of them. Don’t get rid of them or they’re going to create a bigger problem. One way to solve the problem is hiring a qualified exterminator. They’ll know how to fix the issue before it worsens. We’re here to help. Our company has been in the industry for many years so we can eliminate pantry pests as effectively as everyone. If you’re looking for do-it-yourself methods, you’ll need to work a little harder. Nevertheless, some of these methods indeed work. For instance, you’ll need to start by getting rid of products that contain pantry pests.
Once you’ve done that, begin cleaning your pantry. Remove all items from the pantry shelves before using the vacuum to clean the shelves thoroughly. The vacuum’s contents need to be placed in a plastic bag before throwing them away. Finally, don’t forget to clean the walls and corners. Wash them with soap and water. If you’re thinking about using pesticides, you should reconsider. Although they can help, they could expose you to unnecessary dangers. We recommend avoiding these products.
When Can You Begin?
Contact our office so we can begin helping you. We’re eager to help you. After you’ve called, we’ll contact you within 24 to 48 hours.
Our Treatments Are Safe
When you work with us, you can sleep soundly knowing you’re going to be okay. We offer safe treatments because we sincerely care about our clients. For instance, we always use products registered with the EPA. We know that these products are safe and effective. They can eliminate the pests while protecting our clients, their family members, and their pests. Plus, they’re not going to harm your plants. Contact us to get started today.
Preventing Pantry Pest Invasions
Unfortunately, pantry pests are difficult to stop. One thing you’ll want to do is to carefully check your food packages before bringing them inside. Make sure that they’re free of pantry pests. You’ll also want to carefully clean your pantries once or twice a week.
If you have any other pest control issues please check out other services.
