Stored Product Pests May be Invading Your Pantry

Do you have open cereal boxes or an open bag of rice in your pantry? You should transfer the contents to a glass or thick plastic airtight container before pantry pests begin invading your groceries! Weevils, moths, and beetles can sneak into your home through cracks and crevices and feed on food that should be feeding your family. Inspect any open items you currently have and if you find one of these bugs, make sure you check the rest of your food items. The longer your food items sit, the more likely you'll have pests. Beans and rice (and other food items) are grown and packaged as safely as possible, but they are not 100% free of pest eggs. As the food sits in your pantry, the likelihood of reproduction increases with time.

Merchant grain beetles are particularly fond of cereals, cake mixes, macaroni, cookies, and chocolate. Indian meal moths enjoy dried fruits and vegetables, grains, seeds, nuts, chocolates, candies, pet food, and powdered milk. You can place one bay leaf in your open food items to keep pantry pests away.

If you find that you have one of these pests in your pantry or food items, discard the contents. Where there are adults, there are also eggs and larvae. You may not be able to see them, but they are there and can be harmful if ingested. Call a licensed professional at Preferred Pest Control to inspect and treat for stored product pests in your home today!

Glass food storage containers

Merchant Grain Beetle

Indian Meal Moth