While Florida is just about the closest you can get to a tropical paradise, it’s also a hotspot for pests. Pantry bugs are one of the most common infestation problems that you might come across in your home. Fortunately, pantry pests don’t have to be your roommates forever. Whether you’re dealing with flour beetles, Indian meal moths, weevils, or something else, you can find the answers to your pest control problems below.
Before you go after your pests with soapy water, pesticides, and other extermination methods, you first need to know what creatures are actually in your pantry. Let’s look at some of the most common pantry bugs you might encounter.
This insect is very small and reddish-brown. It usually appears in large groupings of other beetles and is fond of food such as corn and other grains.
Cigarette beetles are similar in color to sawtoothed grain beetles, though they are much smaller. Their bodies are also shorter and rounder. These beetles are so small that they can be hard to spot unless there are many of them in one place.
These insects look very similar to cigarette beetles in size, shape, and color. They love all sorts of food items, from dried fruit to stored food products and more. Because of their small size, they’re often hard to spot until many of them show up.
An example of an adult weevil. Credit: Pixabay
As you can likely guess, rice weevils are often found among rice. The insects will lay their eggs among the grains and eventually hatch, turning your nice rice packets into an insect’s paradise. They are smaller than a grain of rice, but their dark brown color makes them more noticeable.
These beetles look similar to rice weevils but prefer grains such as wheat, corn, barley, and so on. Their dark color makes them more visible against pale grains.
These weevils are almost identical to rice weevils in their appearance and behavior. They love grains and rice, and they are extremely small, sometimes small enough to get through some food packages or airtight containers.
As the name suggests, you can find flour beetles living in flour. They are a little larger than rice weevils and look like miniature cockroaches.
Dried food products should be inspected regularly, especially before use, for any signs of infestation. Add bay leaves to canisters and packages of dry goods like flour, rice and other grains — their pungent scent repels many pantry pests.
Seeking Professional Pest Control Services
There are few things worse than going into your pantry to get some food only to find out that it’s been overrun by countless tiny bugs. Chances are, you aren’t interested in eating a bunch of bugs with your rice, noodles, or grains.
Professional pest control services can help you get to the root of the problem and solve it effectively. That way, you can eat your food in peace and focus on how delicious it tastes instead of worrying if you’re chowing down on a six-legged visitor.
You can perform most elimination and prevention of pantry bugs by yourself with common household tricks. However, if you find that your bug problem is more severe than you thought, it might be time to call professional pest control. Likewise, if your own attempts to get rid of pantry pests aren’t successful, it’s probably best to call in the pros. Contact Native Pest Management today and learn why we’re the best pest control option in the area.
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What Attracts Pantry Bugs?
What brings pantry bugs to the party? Food, of course! Infested food is the biggest concern related to having these critters in your house. Pantry bugs are major foodies. They love grains and rice, fruits, flour, and more.
As soon as they smell something they can eat, they’ll crawl over and see if they can get to it. Some insects may be attracted to certain foods more than others, but all can be big problems, especially when you live in warmer climates like Florida.
One common mistake that can attract these insects is not keeping pantry shelves secure. Think about how your pantry is organized right now. How are your grains, dried foods, and other food items stored? Are they loosely stored in the packages they came in? Or are they sealed away in airtight containers?
If your food is poorly stored, there’s a good chance that these common pantry pests will invade, and it won’t be too difficult for them to do so. Many are small enough to crawl through tears and holes in boxes or bags. That’s why, before you jump straight into the use of insecticide, you should first make sure your pantry is secure. Another good prevention tip is to quickly use the food you buy from the grocery store.
Unfortunately, pantry pests can also hitch a ride into your home using the very grains you purchase. Sometimes, eggs make it through the manufacturing process and end up in the flour, rice, etc., you see at the store. Once those eggs hatch – likely after you’ve already introduced them to their new home – they can create a full-blown infestation.
How to Keep Bugs Out of Your Pantry and Kitchen
FAQ
How do I keep my pantry insect free?
Why do I keep getting bugs in my pantry?
How do you keep bugs out of food storage?
Does vinegar get rid of pantry bugs?
How do you keep Bugs out of your pantry?
Put bay leaves in your pantry to repel insects. Sprinkle bay leaves on the shelves of your pantry, or keep some in an open container on your shelf. Put 1 or 2 in open packages or containers of rice, flour, and other grains to deter bugs from coming inside. Bay leaves are aromatic and have a strong odor that pantry bugs avoid.
What are some home remedies and tips for bed bugs?
For bed bags you should disinfect the entire room or house. Wash the bedding very well and consult a specialist, it may be necessary to take more measures.
How do you keep bugs away from food?
Store foods like cornmeal and most nuts in the freezer where the bugs can’t get them. Powdered milk and dried fruits can be refrigerated. Bonus: Your foods will stay fresher longer. Wash containers before reusing.
How do I get rid of pantry pests?
Opt for the vacuum. Soap and water may seem best, but this cleaning method can create a cement-like flour paste that gets into every crack and crevice. This paste will harden and continue to provide pantry pests with food in harder-to-reach places, creating a bigger headache for you.