You may think of bugs as a summer problem. Leave bananas out on your counter a couple of days longer than you should and, suddenly, you will notice a cloud of fruit flies swarming around. Neglect taking the trash out as soon as it’s full and, before long, a dozen house flies are buzzing all over. If you don’t notice a bit of spilled syrup, pretty soon an army of sugar ants has invaded your countertop. All of these insects annoy us in the summer and sometimes into the fall, but they seem to be less of a problem once winter hits.
Not all insects just go away in the winter, though. Some pests can get inside no matter the time of year, happily infesting our homes until we do something about them.
How Pantry Pests Get into Your Home
Pantry pests, sometimes known as stored product pests, are insects that can cause a problem in the winter just as well as in the summer. The problem is, pantry pests are often brought in by homeowners themselves.
These pests invade our food storage and typically start out in the products themselves at food packaging plants. They subsequently travel to grocery stores and then to homes, completely hidden from the people buying the products. These pests usually are not discovered until someone opens the bag or box and realizes there’s something other than food inside.
Pantry Pests You May Encounter
There are many different types of pantry pests, but most are various kinds of beetles or moths.
Some of the most common pantry pests include:
- Carpet beetles. Adult carpet beetles look similar to ladybugs. They often lay their eggs in dry goods such as flour, rice, and cereal.
- Cigarette beetles. As you might have guessed, cigarette beetles love tobacco. However, they can also be found in products such as dried spices, beans, and grains.
- Saw-toothed grain beetles. These beetles get their names from the tooth-like projections that jut out along their thorax. They enjoy all types of dried goods, including cereals, pasta, dried fruit, sugar, and pet food.
- Confused flour beetles. These pests can’t process things like whole kernels, so they prefer to munch on foods that are easier to consume, such as flour and cereal.
- Indian meal moths. These moths love all kinds of food found in your pantry, including chocolate, flour, dried fruit, nuts, and more.
While none of these pantry pests are dangerous or cause any health concerns for humans, they certainly live up to the name 'pest'. If found in any of your food stores, that food must be thrown away, costing you money and aggravation.
Getting Rid of Pantry Pests
If you don’t discover a pantry pest infestation early on, these pests could spread throughout more than one item in your pantry. They can easily create a larger problem than the need to throw away a single item.
If you find that pantry pests have invaded your home, it’s a wise decision to call Adams Exterminating Company. We offer affordable options to eliminate your pantry pest problems, ensuring the infestation does not spread or remain an ongoing issue. Call us for a free quote. We are here to help you!