Finding pests in the pantry can be a worrying concern for homeowners. These pests often go unnoticed until an infestation has already started, damaging dry goods like flour, cereal, and pet food. Any contamination will make your food unfit for human consumption. Knowing the early signs and taking action can help keep your food protected. If you're dealing with bugs at home, our customised solutions can help.
Call Ehrlich at 800-837-5520 to talk to an expert about pantry pests.
Spotting pests in the pantry at the early stage of an infestation is essential for stopping them before they spread. Below are some of the most common signs to watch for and reasons these pests might appear. Common signs of stored product insects (SPIs) include:
Many different pantry pests may show up in your stored food. Below are some of the most common types of pantry pests found in U.S. homes. Click through to discover more information about each type of pest.
Pantry moth control starts with finding and removing the source of the infestation. These pests are often Indian meal moths (Plodia interpunctella), the most common pantry moth species found in U.S. homes.
Indian meal moths are attracted to dry, stored foods. This includes grains, rice, flour, cereal, dried fruit, powdered milk, pasta, seeds, nuts, pet food, and even chocolate. Infestations often begin when already-infested items are brought home from the store. Once inside, they can spread quickly through your cupboards.
Pheromone traps are a helpful tool to control these pests. These sticky traps use a scent that mimics the female moth’s natural pheromones. Male moths are drawn to the trap and become stuck, which helps reduce breeding. While pantry moth traps can help monitor and reduce activity, they won’t target larvae or eggs, so they’re not a complete solution on their own.
Pests in the pantry can be difficult to remove yourself, as they’re small and large numbers can easily infest pantries. Ehrlich technicians have the tools and techniques to do so with minimal disruption.
To control pantry moths, start by checking every package in your pantry. Throw away any items that show signs of moth activity, like webbing, larvae, or tiny holes in packaging. Clean all surfaces thoroughly to remove spilled food and crumbs that can attract moths.
The key to breaking the life cycle is proper cleaning, throwing away infested food, and storing dry goods in airtight containers. DIY efforts may reduce moth numbers, but for lasting protection and peace of mind, our technicians can help identify the source and provide tailored treatment options.
Ehrlich uses safe, non-toxic methods for treating pantry pests in homes. This may include vacuuming, targeted use of traps, and monitoring for new activity. We’ll also recommend exclusion techniques to help ensure these pests are prevented in the future. We never apply chemicals directly to food.
Stopping pantry pests before they spread is easier than dealing with a full infestation. The following tips can help keep your food store protected. Preventing pests in stored food starts with good habits and the right storage setup. This means:
In commercial settings, temperature and humidity control can also help. Facilities should aim to store dried foods at temperatures between 50°F and 70°F and maintain relative humidity at 30% or less.
Whether you're dealing with bugs at home or in a business setting, Ehrlich has a solution. We help identify and remove food pests, and we work with homeowners and commercial clients alike. We help to protect your space to reduce the risk of future infestations.
We inspect pantries, cabinets, and storage areas for signs of pests and locate the source of activity. Depending on what we find, treatments may include:
We never apply treatments to food or food-contact surfaces. Instead, we focus on safe, targeted methods and offer advice on food rotation, packaging, and proper storage to help prevent future problems.
Ehrlich offers advanced pest control for businesses that handle or store food products. Our technicians are trained in multiple stored product insect control techniques, including:
When needed, we may recommend:
From farming and agriculture, food processing plants, warehouses, grocery stores, and restaurants, we have you covered. All of our services meet strict industry standards and are designed to keep your operations compliant, clean, and protected from food pests.
If you suspect a problem, it is also worth knowing where these pests may be hiding. Stored product insects can live in dried products such as:
Pantry pests don’t usually harm people, but they can contaminate food. This makes it unsafe to eat and leads to waste.
Yes. If food is infested, it should be thrown out to avoid spreading pests. Eating infested food may pose a health risk, and keeping it can lead to a larger infestation in nearby products.
Common pests include Indian meal moths, warehouse beetles, and a range of beetles such as the rust-red flour beetle, confused flour beetle, sawtoothed grain beetle, and merchant grain beetle. These pests target dry goods and lay eggs inside packaging, where their larvae feed on the product.
Store food properly in sealed containers, clean shelves regularly, and check items for signs of pests. Avoid keeping expired or open goods in your pantry.
We offer residential and commercial stored product insect services across the Eastern United States.
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