Hatching Rice? Dirty Flour? Here’s the Scoop...
Pantry pests are a vastly overlooked pest group, in our opinion. Many of them are so small that they are nearly invisible to the naked eye, and then make homes for themselves in the one place we’d probably least prefer: our food. From weevils in our whole grains, to Indian meal moths in the processed grains, and finally flour beetles in--you guessed it--our flour; pantry pests will make anyone with a kitchen squirm.
What are they?
Pantry pests, also known as “stored product pests,” is a broad term for insects that live out the majority of, if not their entire lives in our pantry contents, indulging in nearly anything within reach considered consumable to humans and animals alike. In New England, these species include (but are not limited to) Indian meal moths, rice weevils, flour beetles, grain beetles, and drugstore beetles.
Why are they usually found in the kitchen?
These insects are nicknamed “pantry pests” for a reason: in a residential setting, that’s where you’ll almost always find them. Different species will naturally be attracted to different types of food, meaning that nearly everything in your pantry has the potential to be infected, including (but not limited to): cereal, bread, nuts, rice, pasta, spices, flour and pet food. However, it is important to note that if you store any of these types of products elsewhere (such as dog food in the garage or bird seed in the shed), then you should be on the lookout for these pests anywhere that these products are stored.
Are they dangerous?
While the bugs themselves do not bite, sting, nor spread disease; their presence will greatly accelerate spoilage of anything they infest. Their harborage of choice is not only used as their buffet, but also their latrine and their maternity ward, which all make for a less-than-ideal final ingredient for any meal prepared with the contaminated product. It should be noted, however, that an otherwise-healthy individual who accidentally consumes pantry pests is at little risk of falling ill, as most of these pests merely leave a foul taste/odor and do not necessarily carry risk of making their consumer sick.
Where do they come from?
Stored product pests are major nuisances in both food processing plants and grocery stores. Given the nature of the pest and their love of grains, it’s easy to see why they’d be attracted to large facilities full of their food and habitat of choice. Unfortunately for us, this is often where residential infestations originate, making it nearly impossible to completely rule out the potential for pantry pests to enter our homes as long as we continue bringing food home from the store.
What can you do to protect your kitchen?
While it’s nearly impossible to prevent pests from entering on occasion, you can certainly help keep them from spreading and increase your chances of finding them early. A widespread kitchen infestation can easily cost a homeowner hundreds of dollars’ worth of groceries and expensive spices: an easily-avoided expense for those equipped with a few simple preventative measures. The first step is to invest in some glass or clear plastic storage containers, which will help isolate the pests and keep them from spreading. This should also help you find new invasions early and nip any infestation in the bud before the population grows and spreads.
What else can be done?
The key is to catch these pests early, and stop them in their tracks if you suspect that they’ve made their way into your home. Any infected product will need to be sealed in an airtight bag and disposed of, along with any other items that you suspect could be contaminated as well. If you don’t see evidence of contamination in a particular item but want to ensure that it’s clean or pests, freezing the product will kill any lurking insect along with their eggs.
Stored product pests spread quickly and can be extremely difficult to detect, which is why it is important to contact JP Pest Services right away if you suspect a kitchen invasion. The best offense is always a good defense, which is why it’s crucial to have proper preventative measures in place to protect your home and loved ones from these common invaders.
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