Pantry Pests: What Are They?

What Are Pantry Pests?

Pantry pests also commonly called “Stored Product Pests” are a group of pests that are attracted to dry, processed foods; products like flour, sugar, and spices.

What Do Pantry Pests Look Like?

A variety of pests fall into the category of “pantry pests.” They include:

Ants

Ants will eat pretty much any type of food, but they are really attracted to sweet products, so if you have sugar, sprinkles, and cereal you’ll want to use a sealed container for storage. If you have an ant infestation, a pest control technician will inspect your home, determine which ant species you’re dealing with and properly remove the pests.

Earwigs

Earwigs have elongated, flat bodies and they range in size between ¼ inch to an inch long. And contrary to popular belief, earwigs do not crawl into people’s ears. They will, however, infest your pantry if it is inviting.

Indianmeal Moths

Indianmeal moths are the most common “stored product pest” and they are relentless. These pests go by many names including grain moths, flour moths, weevil moths, and pantry moths. They have reddish-brown forewings and copper-colored back. Their larvae are what is primarily responsible for ruining food products since they don’t eat as adults. If you see an Indian meal moth flying around your home it is likely looking for a place to lay eggs — which they lay near or on food.

How Do I Get Rid of Pantry Pests?

Pantry pests may be difficult to eliminate because they live near food. Pest control technicians often use a variety of biological agents to remove any pantry pest infestations and keep them away permanently. Below are some tips you can use now to help prevent pantry pests from invading your products.

• Use air-tight containers
• Check expiration dates on products
• Clean up spills and crumbs
• Don’t buy in bulk if you don’t use it often

If you have a pantry pest infestation, take action right away. Throw out any of the contaminated food and clean out your cupboards or pantry shelves, then contact a licensed pest control company, like Pest Control Inc. A pest control technician will properly identify the pest and help keep it from multiplying.