Pantry Pests

Pantry Pests

What Types of Pantry Pests Are Common in San Antonio?

Pantry pests can include a variety of insects and beetles. In San Antonio, there are several pantry pests that are common, to include Indian meal moths, cigarette beetles, drugstore beetles, and rice weevils.

Indian Meal Moths

Indian meal moths are small, brownish-red to grey flying pests. They are usually less than ½ an inch full grown. The tips of their wings are distinctly different in color than the tops of the wings. The eggs and larvae of the Indian meal moth are small and hard to see with the naked eye. Their preferred food is grains.

Cigarette Beetles

Cigarette beetles are identifiable by their rounded humpbacks and light brown color. They grow to be only about 1/8 of an inch. Cigarette beetles can fly and will migrate in the early evening, searching for food. Their name is indicative of the food source they prefer - dried tobacco. They will also feed on herbs and other plants as well as grains.

Drugstore Beetles

Drugstore beetles are slightly larger than cigarette beetles but are similar in appearance. They are deep brown in color with ridges running down their backs. They eat natural herbs and medicinal plants, thus their name. They get into homes in pet food and other grains. They lay their eggs inside these products. Vacuuming is the best way to try to remove drugstore beetles from your home.

Rice Weevils

Rice weevils like to eat crops such as wheat and rice. They are odd-looking pests with long snouts and reddish-orange undertones on their thin bodies. Rice weevils are small measuring at less than ¼ inch in size. They have wings and can fly.

Rice weevils lay their eggs inside grain, and their larvae can hatch from inside a grain of rice. If they contaminate your food, you may not even know it. You can get rid of them by freezing the food they have infested and then discarding it.

Are Pantry Pests Dangerous?

Pantry pests are generally not considered dangerous. They don’t bite and they are not aggressive toward humans. They can be a nuisance, though. Pantry pests can transfer bacteria to your food and countertops and make you sick. They make their nests, lay their eggs, and feast on your dry goods. If you discover pantry pests in your San Antonio home, you may need to throw away a lot of food, thus costing you extra money.

How Did Pantry Pests Get Inside My Home?

Pantry pests can get inside your San Antonio home in a variety of ways. On occasion, they can crawl or fly right in. Small cracks, holes in screens, and doors that aren’t tight-fitting can let pests in. More likely, though, pantry pests came in through groceries or other packages. They stow away inside boxes in warehouses, in grains and flour bags, inside potted plants, and in shipment boxes.

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How Do I Get Rid of Pantry Pests?

Once pantry pests are in your home, they can be difficult to get rid of on your own. You must eliminate their nests, eggs, larvae, and the live pests themselves. Because they are generally small, and are excellent at hiding in the tiniest of cracks, they can be overlooked. Just one moth or beetle left behind can start the infestation cycle over again. Family Pest Control can help you clear your San Antonio home of pantry pests. Our proven methods and experienced technicians will have your home pantry pest-free in no time.

Does Family Have Any Pantry Pest Prevention Tips?

Family Pest Control offers several suggestions for preventing pantry pests:

Store all your grains and dry goods, such as cereal, flour, baking mixes, granola, seeds, and pet food, in airtight storage containers.
Examine any packages or boxes and bags from warehouse stores before bringing them into your home.
Place flour and other dry goods in the freezer as soon as you bring them home to kill off any stow-away pantry pests.
Throw out expired items.
Clean out your pantry frequently.

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