Pantry pests such as weevils, beetles, and moths are common yet unwanted guests in many kitchens. These pests are often found in spices and grain foods (flour, cornmeal, cereal, and pasta) and can easily spread to other food items. Foods that are infested with pantry pests are often thrown away, resulting in a waste of money. To help keep pantry pests out of your kitchen, follow these simple tips:
Inspect food packages before buying. Most pantry pests are brought into the home by an already infested package of food. Do not buy food if the package looks damaged or has been opened. Tiny tears and holes in packages are entryways for pesky pantry pests.
Keep your pantry clean. Pantry pests often show up when a food source becomes available to them from a spill or splatter. Periodically remove food items from your kitchen cabinet or pantry, vacuum food particles and wash shelves with hot soapy water. Make sure the shelves are dry before the food is returned. If needed, use caulk to seal cracks and spaces around shelves where food particles and other debris can collect.
Store food properly. If foods are stored in the original packaging inside a pantry or cabinet, try to use them within 2 to 4 months. To better protect foods, store them in airtight containers. For long term storage of bulk or infrequently used grain foods such as flour and cornmeal, consider storage in a refrigerator or freezer. Always clean containers before refilling them. After emptying a container of flour, rice, pasta, or cornmeal, wash it with hot soapy water before it is refilled. Never combine old and new lots of foodstuffs. If the old is contaminated, the pests will quickly invade the new.If your kitchen has been invaded by pantry pests, the first step is to remove the infested food to keep the pests away from any other stored products. Thoroughly clean the pantry or cabinet to remove food particles, insects and insect eggs that are present. This should be sufficient to treat the pests. If you choose to use baits or any type of pesticide in your home, remember they are poisonous and can not be washed from the types of foods that pantry pests may invade. For this reason, insecticides are not recommended for use on pantry pests. Although, retail stores carry pheromone traps for control of meal moths and other pantry pests that can be used safely in your home storage areas. For chemical control of other pests and rodents read all product labels carefully, always use as directed, and take caution not to contaminate foods or food prep areas. Note that some pantry pests often breed in roach, ant, or rodent baits. Periodically check baits for any signs of pantry pest larvae.
Can foods that have been infested by pantry pests be saved? The answer to this question is yes. Freezing the infested food for 3 to 5 days will kill the insects. Another option is to heat the food in an oven for 90 minutes at 200 degrees F. After freezing or heating, sift the insects out of food items such as flour, cornmeal or sugar. For foods such as pasta, rice, or cereal, the insects will need to be picked out by hand.
