Welcome to our Q&A blog on insect pantry pests. In this blog, David Willey answered some of the most common questions about these pests and provides you with valuable information to help you better understand this topic.
Q: What are insect pantry pests?
A: Insect pantry pests, also called stored pantry pests or stored product pests, are insects that commonly infest processed grain products such as flour, cornmeal, cake mixes and spices, as well as some whole grains like dried peas and beans, rice and dried fruits or candy such as chocolate. These pests may also infest other items such as dog food, dried milk, rodent bait, dog treats, birdseed, nuts, and even potpourri.
Q: What are some common pantry pests to look for?
A: Some of the most common pantry pests include Indian meal moths, saw-toothed grain beetles, cigarette and drugstore beetles, red flour and confused flour beetles, and rice weevils.
It is important to note that pantry pests are not always found in the pantry, and the infestation may also involve other areas like the garage, living area or attic.
Q: What should be the first course of action if someone finds insects in their pantry products?
A: The first thing to do is to identify the insect. Ask the person what was infested, if known. Sometimes they may have seen a moth flying around or a beetle crawling in the kitchen. If possible, it is best to get clear pictures of the insect, preferably alongside a small object like a straight pin or a matchstick for size reference. It is important to get the insect properly identified so that the appropriate measures can be taken.
Q: What should be done after identifying the infested insect?
A: The first thing to do is to get rid of the infested product. The shelves should be emptied and thoroughly cleaned, and the infested product should be disposed of. Inspect other products in the area that may not show any signs of infestation but might be infested as well.
Store other products in tightly sealed containers to prevent further infestation. The area can be treated with insecticides labeled for pantry pest control, and some insect growth regulators (IGRs) may also be considered.
Additionally, stored product insect traps are available for monitoring pest activity and locating the source of the infestation.
That brings us to the end of our Q&A blog on pantry pests. We hope you found this information helpful in understanding these pests and how to deal with them. If you have any further questions, feel free to reach out to us.