Many people check the ingredients in food before they buy them. Some people check food labels for what they are allergic to, others do it for health reasons. Either way, it is helpful to see what is in our food before we buy it. That said, what if we told you one ingredient is sneaking into foods around Worcester that isn’t written on the label? We are talking about pantry pests. If you would rather not open up a box of cereal to find larvae crawling around, we have some tips and tricks for you today. Here is the best way to keep pests out of your Worcester home’s pantry.
What Are Pantry Pests?
Pantry pests are any species of insect that invades dried food products. Indian meal moths, drugstore beetles, and cigarette beetles are just a few of the most common pantry pests in our area. The first thing you should know about these pests is that they don’t invade to feed themselves, they invade to lay their eggs. Why? Because after their eggs hatch, they are going to want to eat, and nothing is more nutritious for young pantry pests than dried foods.
How Infestations Start
Pantry pest infestations typically start with a female beetle or moth laying their eggs inside a box of food. What's crazy is that this most often happens at the factory where food is being processed or at the supermarket where it is being sold. It is also possible for pantry pests to invade your home and lay eggs inside your stored food products, but this is a bit rarer.
Once pantry pests have gotten into your home, it is common for infestations to compound themselves. As the moths and beetles hidden within your food storages reach adulthood they will search for more food to lay their eggs inside. This can lead to your entire pantry becoming infested, along with any new food you bring home with you.
How To Prevent Pantry Pests
Understanding pantry pests is the first step to preventing them. For instance, if you know that pantry pests chew holes through boxes to gain access to the food within, you will know to keep your eye out for, and avoid purchasing, boxes of food that look damaged. In addition to this, here are some other great ways for you to keep pantry pests from invading your Worcester home.
- Use a caulking gun to seal up gaps, cracks, and holes around the exterior of your home.
- Inspect window and door screen around your home and make sure they are rip and tear-free.
- Repair or replace weather stripping and door sweeps if they have damage or general wear and tear.
- Store dried foods, dried foliage, potpourri, and Indian corn inside tightly-sealed glass, plastic, or metal containers.
- Make sure your trash cans have tight-fitting lids.
- Keep your home clean and limit the number of rooms where you eat to just a couple.
How To Remove Pantry Pests From Your Home
If you have been finding unwanted added ingredients in your food, don’t panic. We have a quick and reliable answer here at Big Blue Bug Solutions. Our experts have the training needed to treat your pantry and eliminate any pests munching on your food. We also offer on-going pest control to help keep a large number of pests, including pantry pests from getting into your home. You check boxes of food before bringing them home, we will take care of the rest.
Give us a call today to find your solution to pests.
Tags: home pest control | pest prevention | pantry pests |