Pesky Pests in the Pantry
- The emergence of holes in grain products
- Fine sawdust-like frass in a bag or on
a surface - Adult beetles crawling on nearby
surfaces or adult moths flying about - Larvae or adults on the infested material
- Larvae or webbing on surface of
infested material -
Larvae or pupae spun into crevices along walls, ceilings or cupboards
Controlling Pests in Storage Areas
To find the source of the infestation, examine the list of potential food sources. Never assume that a sealed container means that the contents are not infested. The most obvious place to start is where the most insects are found, usually your kitchen or pantry cabinets, but don’t forget other cabinets and drawers in these areas. You also need to look for items that may have spilled under or behind furniture or appliances, such as your stove, refrigerator or dishwasher. Remember that these pests are mobile either by flying or crawling,
so don’t assume that where you see insects now is necessarily the source of the problem. If you don’t find the source of the
pest immediately, then look in other areas such as: - Rooms other than kitchen where food
is consumed. - Utility room: look in other less typical foods and household items (see chart below).
- Attic, basement, crawlspace, chimney,
attached garage or storage areas: check items that are in storage and
be on the lookout for bird or rodent nests. Nests containing seeds
or plant debris may
attract pests.
If the source of the infestation is difficult to identify, try using pheromone traps which contain chemicals that attract the insects. However, because moths are usually very mobile, simply finding moths in an area does not guarantee that the source is nearby. However, areas where insect numbers are greatest are typically near
the source.
Discard infested materials. Items which do not appear to be infested, but have the potential to contain eggs not yet hatched, can be placed in a freezer for 4 to 5 days to destroy eggs. Thoroughly clean storage areas, particularly the corners and edges of shelves. Store items not infested in tightly sealed containers or in the refrigerator. Practice “First In - First Out,” always finishing oldest items before opening new packages. Pesticide application in storage areas is not necessary if you clean the
area thoroughly.
A sure way to ruin an appetite and dampen the enthusiasm of any cook is to open a box or bag from the pantry and find insects. A number of pests find their way into items stored in kitchen or pantry shelves, and it is often difficult to tell when the item became infested. Just because a box looks sealed does not mean that insects have not found their way to the products inside. Contamination can occur during storage in a warehouse, at the retail store or even in your home. Sometimes, pests show up in places other than a pantry. Regardless of when the insects are discovered, the key to solving the problem is to locate the source of the infestation. Insects will often attack any item made of plant material.
Signs of Pests in the Pantry
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