What Are Pantry Pests?
Pantry pests are a group of pests that feed and breed on stored food products. Wherever food is regularly stored is a place where pantry pests can thrive. Some of the most common pantry pests in the Los Angeles area are Indian meal moths, cigarette beetles, and drugstore beetles.
Pantry pest larvae cause the damage and food contamination these pests are known for. Adults lay their eggs on an appropriate food source, and when the larvae hatch, they begin to feed on the food provided, contaminating it with their saliva, shed skins, and excrement.
Are Pantry Pests Dangerous?
The biggest concern with pantry pests is the amount of food waste their presence causes. These insects contaminate way more food than they eat. Whenever pantry pests infiltrate whole grains or food packaging, the food becomes contaminated, and you can no longer consume it. These pests are a danger to food sources and create a costly problem for home and business owners.
Why Do I Have a Pantry Pest Problem?
Adult pantry pests can invade our homes, usually after being attracted by lights and moving inside through spaces around windows and doors.
We can also unknowingly introduce pantry pests into our homes after purchasing already infested stored food products from places like the grocery store, farmers market, or pet store.
Where Will I Find Pantry Pests?
Any stored products in our homes can become infested with stored pantry pests; the longer the food is in your home, the more likely it will become infested with pantry pests.
Things that commonly become contaminated by pantry pests include:
You'll often see new adults looking for a place to lay their eggs in our homes around windows, on walls, or in closets or pantries.
How Do I Get Rid of Pantry Pests?
Pantry pests can find their way into any of our homes. At A Step Above Pest Control & Termite, we can help you safely eliminate these pests, protecting your family's stored foods from being further contaminated. You can have peace of mind knowing that all materials we use are registered with the EPA and the California Department of Pesticide Regulation. Our Los Angeles pest management professionals only provide safe and effective home pest control and commercial pest solutions.
To learn more about protecting your kitchen or pantry from being overtaken by pantry pests, call us today and speak with one of our helpful pest professionals!
How Can I Prevent Pantry Pests in the Future?
Keep pantry pests out of your Los Angeles area home with the following prevention tips.
- Remove dry goods from their original packaging and store the food in hard-sided containers with airtight lids.
- Never buy food products that have rips or tears in them.
- Regularly check expiration dates on dry goods in your home, removing expired or old items.
- Keep cabinets, pantries, and other food storage areas free of food debris and crumbs.
- Eliminate spaces in the exterior of your home that could allow adult pantry pests to get in.
- Keep outdoor lights off as much as possible that may attract adult pantry pests to your house.
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