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Pantry Pests

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The term “pantry pest” is utilized in reference to a group of insect species that infiltrate the human habitat. The pantry pest infiltrates homes and feeds on food products stored in pantries, kitchen cabinets, and cubbyholes. There are dozens, if not hundreds of species of pantry pests, all of which feed on:

  • Dried cereal and fruit
  • Nuts
  • Cookies and crackers
  • Flour and cornmeal
  • Pet food and birdseed
  • Bread
  • Spices
  • Tobacco products
  • Candies

There is really nothing the pantry pest will not feed on. If it is food and accessible, pantry pests will feast on it

What Are The Most Common Pantry Pest Sightings?

Pantry pest sightings throughout the United States are more commonly the Indian meal moth, cigarette “tobacco” beetle, and saw-toothed grain beetle. Each of these pantry pest species has been sighted in kitchens nationwide. Differentiating between pantry pests requires significant knowledge of each species’ unique physical characteristics. Since the diet is the same across the board, it cannot be utilized as a part of the comparison. Your only option is the features, which are unique.

Know How To Identify Pantry Pests

Indian Meal Moth – The “Plodia interpunctella” has layers of colors – reddish/black and tan, with a copperish finish. The insect has some of the longest wings, extending down past the hind legs to the ground.

Indian meal moth larvae ingest pantry food, not adults. The larvae also create cocoons to protect themselves until reaching maturity.

Saw-Toothed Grain Beetle – The mature “Orzaephilus surinamensis” is a unique pantry pest species. The insect’s most unique feature is the projections protruding from the right and left sides of the thorax. The projections appear to have edges that replicating a traditional hand saw. This unique physical characteristic is how the insect earned its classification.

Saw-toothed grain beetle in all stages of the life cycle ingested pantry food. The insect utilizes its powerful handsaw blade-like projects to gnaw through manufacturing food packing.

Cigarette “Tobacco” Beetle – The adult “Lasioderma serricorne” measures up to 1/8” in length. Like the saw-toothed grain beetle, the cigarette beetle has a unique physical characteristic to make it easily identifiable. The humpback, brownish/red shiny body is covered with a layer of fine hair. From short distances, the cigarette beetle appears to have a fuzzy coat.

Cigarette beetles in all phases of the life cycle feed on food products stored in pantries and other storage compartments.

Why Are Pantry Pests Infesting My Kitchen Cabinets?

Pantry pests infiltrate residential and commercial establishments with one goal in mind. This goal is to access pantry food products. There are several ways pantry pests infiltrate homes. The first and most common way is through openings that lead from the perimeter to the interior of the structure.

The second access method is unsecured doors and windows. It is not unusual for people to leave their windows and doors open for ventilation purposes. The insects enter these access points when they are unscreened and unattended.

What Are The Most Common Signs Of A Panty Pest Infestation?

There are several signs to be on the lookout for when inspecting your home for pantry pests. It is crucial to note, not all the signs will be detected during the inspection. The detectable signs will depend on the severity level of the infestation. If only a handful of pantry pests are present, the signs will be limited to manufacturing food packaging damage. Other pantry pest infestation signs include the following:

  • Live pantry pests feeding on dried nonperishables
  • Manufacturing food packaging damage
  • Tiny moths hoovering over food-contaminated surfaces and food

Do Pantry Pests Spread Disease?

Some pantry pests have been known to cause foodborne illnesses, such as salmonella, Shigella, and E. coli. Pantry pest species, including the ant, fly, rat, and mouse, transmit bacteria to humans through contaminated food and water.

What Is The Most Effective Pantry Pest Prevention Solution?

Our professional pantry pest prevent is effective in all settings, including industrial, residential, and commercial. However, the effectiveness will depend on the client and other household members. Preventing pantry pests from entering your property will not be easy, but it is possible with the combined effort of our technicians and client. You can start with the following tips:

  • Seal all exterior-to-interior entry points with a waterproof sealant
  • Repair or replace screens on doors and windows
  • Update your nonperishable food storage system, transitioning from manufacturing paperboard to glass storage containers
  • Develop a household waste disposal system to make food nonassessable in your home
  • Routinely clean the pantries, vacuuming thoroughly before wiping down with soap and water
  • Regularly inspect your kitchen and dining room for signs of pantry pests
  • Thoroughly wash and air-dry food storage containers between each use

Is It Possible To Fully Exterminate A Pantry Pest Infestation?

Yes, with our professional pest control, which combines regular home inspection with our industrial-strength pesticide. Depending on the severity of the infestation, the technician may decide to incorporate adhesive traps into the pantry pest control strategy.

Eradicating pantry pests will require your full dedication. Only you and the other members of the home can routinely remove household trash to an outdoor waste bin. You must also dedicate some time to inspecting and cleaning the pantries and kitchen cabinets. So, it is easy to see why our technicians rely on the occupants of the property throughout the pest control process.

How Long Does It Take To Process A Pantry Pest Inspection Request?

Our service request processing takes up to 48 hours to complete. Once the request is processed, our customer support will work with you to set up an appointment for the inspection.

If you have any other pest control issues please check out other services.

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