Will you be doing some baking this fall? Is this the time of year you pull out the recipe for your signature pie? Then, it's time to talk about pantry pests. Here are a few things you need to know about those evil, little bugs that like to ruin your holiday baking..
What kind of bugs will I find in my pantry?
Common pantry pests you'll find in your pantry are black carpet beetles, casemaking clothes moths, cigarette beetles, indian meal moths, larder beetles, red flour beetles, rice weevils, sawtoothed grain beetles, spider beetles, carpet beetles, and webbing clothes moths.
What do they eat?
These bugs feed on: cereals, cornmeal, flour, macaroni, oats, dry pet food, spices, whole kernels of oats, seeds, barley, wheat, rice, peas, powdered milk, corn meal, dried fruits, nuts, and chocolate.
Will I immediately see them?
These insects feed in many different ways. Insects that feed on the outside of grain will be immediately visible, like: cigarette beetles and Indian meal moths. But insects that feed on the inside of kernels or whole grain, like the rice weevil, will be harder to detect. If you find any bugs in your food stores, assume there are more, because they may be inside grain or kernels.
How did they get in here?
If you have pantry bugs, the most likely reason is, you brought those bugs home with you from the grocery store. Though bugs can get in from the outside, through cracks, or by flying in when you enter, most of them hitchhike.
How do I keep the bugs out?
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Always inspect food packaging for damage or holes, before you purchase them.
Check due dates, and throw away items in your pantry that are past due.
Store grains in the refrigerator, if you plan to keep them for a long time.
Use hard plastic containers with sealable lids, instead of the paper and cardboard packaging you got from the store.
Keep your pantry clean, dry, and well ventilated.
Use a flashlight to search for cracks on the wall near the floor, and seal them with a caulking gun.
Here are a few things you need to know about those evil, little bugs that like to ruin your holiday baking..
What kind of bugs will I find in my pantry?
Common pantry pests you'll find in your pantry are black carpet beetles, casemaking clothes moths, cigarette beetles, indian meal moths, larder beetles, red flour beetles, rice weevils, sawtoothed grain beetles, spider beetles, carpet beetles, and webbing clothes moths.
What do they eat?
These bugs feed on: cereals, cornmeal, flour, macaroni, oats, dry pet food, spices, whole kernels of oats, seeds, barley, wheat, rice, peas, powdered milk, corn meal, dried fruits, nuts, and chocolate.
Will I immediately see them?
These insects feed in many different ways. Insects that feed on the outside of grain will be immediately visible, like: cigarette beetles and Indian meal moths. But insects that feed on the inside of kernels or whole grain, like the rice weevil, will be harder to detect. If you find any bugs in your food stores, assume there are more, because they may be inside grain or kernels.
How did they get in here?
If you have pantry bugs, the most likely reason is, you brought those bugs home with you from the grocery store. Though bugs can get in from the outside, through cracks, or by flying in when you enter, most of them hitchhike.
How do I keep the bugs out?
Always inspect food packaging for damage or holes, before you purchase them.
Check due dates, and throw away items in your pantry that are past due.
Store grains in the refrigerator, if you plan to keep them for a long time.
Use hard plastic containers with sealable lids, instead of the paper and cardboard packaging you got from the store.
Keep your pantry clean, dry, and well ventilated.
Use a flashlight to search for cracks on the wall near the floor, and seal them with a caulking gun.