
If you are reading this, it is most likely because you have encountered those annoying tiny pests known as pantry bugs. Rest easy, though; you have found the best resource for getting rid of them!
Everything from recognizing such insects to understanding their complex cycles of life to avoiding and getting rid of infestations will be covered. For more information about eliminating pantry pests, contact a Saela Pest Control.
How can you prevent pantry pests in your home
Let us start by explaining how to spot these tiny annoyances. Grain weevils, flour beetles, and meal moths are the three most common kitchen pests. Grain, flour, cereal, and other foods present in many pantries make up the stored food components that all of these bugs consume.
The copper-colored, about 7-8 mm long wings of meal moths are easily recognized. Flour beetles are tiny, reddish-brown insects with six legs that are 3–4 mm long. Having four yellowish legs and a length of less than 1 mm, grain weevils mimic small black ants.
How to get rid of them?
A pantry bug infestation is a problem that nobody likes to deal with, yet it does happen. The good news is that you may get rid of the annoying creatures without using dangerous substances. Actually, you might get rid of them without harming your family by using simple, non-toxic techniques.
Let us begin by discussing how to recognize the kind of bug you are battling with.
Determine the type
Before taking action, it is essential to figure out what type of pantry bug you have because they come in a variety of sizes and shapes. It will be easier to select the best method to get rid of the bugs if you look for telltale indicators like webbing, droppings, or eggs.
Try using diatomaceous earth
After you have learned the identification process, you can begin to play around with a few non-toxic pantry insect removal methods. One choice is diatomaceous earth, a fine powder that dries out and breaks down pantry bugs by rupturing their exoskeleton.
Keep bay leaves
Using bay leaves inside cupboards and drawers is a further option; the aroma of these herbs helps to keep insects away and significantly decreases their population. If everything else fails, think about buying sticky traps to catch any bugs that get past your defenses!
Use pesticides
It could be necessary to use pesticides to completely get rid of more serious infestations, but be sure that the solution you choose is safe for indoor usage and does not expose your family to dangerous chemicals. Furthermore, it is essential to keep kids and dogs away from the area while the spraying is going on (for their safety as well as yours!).
Let’s now examine the specific actions required for dealing with a pantry bug infestation:
- To start, inspect your pantry or kitchen from top to bottom for any potential insect entry sites, such as wall or floor breaches, open windows or doors close to areas where food is stored, etc.
- Once these entry spots have been recognized, use caulking or weather stripping materials to seal them off as much as you can (or call a pest controller if they require more specialist attention).
- After that, start cleaning up! Make careful to properly dispose of any contaminated food items by throwing them away in a compost heap or an outside trash can. Remove any crumbs from floors or counters, as well as from under furniture and appliances; the less waste there is for pests to eat, the better!
- Finally, consider applying a natural pest control method, like diatomaceous earth or bay leaves, inside cabinets, drawers, etc. (follow the instructions on the container). Without exposing you or your loved ones to harmful chemicals, these methods can help prevent new
pests from entering and slowly reducing existing populations.