5 Steps to a Pantry Pest-Free Home
Indianmeal moth (top) & confused flour beetle (bottom)
Pantry pest issues are something that we all have to take steps to avoid. A variety of different bugs fit into this category, from pantry moths like the Indianmeal moth to beetles like the confused flour beetle. Even ants and earwigs like to take over our kitchens and use our stored products as their food sources. No one wants to find bugs in food that they’re about to prepare—it can ruin your entire meal! If you’re looking to prevent pantry pests in Santa Fe NM, read on for advice from our experts.
All About Pantry Pests
Even the cleanliest homeowners are susceptible to problems with stored product pests. It turns out that many pantry pest infestations are spurred when people purchase damage or already infested products from the grocery store. Even though pantry pests don’t usually pose a health threat, they can be quite unsightly and annoying. Pantry pests are known to infest:
- Flour
- Grains
- Cake mixes
- Chocolate
- Candy and other sugary foods
Infested products will see the most damage when they are carrying insects in their larval stages, but the infestations usually don’t become apparent until the pests develop into their adult stages.
How to Prevent Pantry Pest Outbreaks
To avoid opening up your pantry to hordes of insects, it’s important to learn how to prevent pantry pests:
- Practice proper sanitation: Keep your pantry dry and clean. Reorganizing regularly can help you find any infestations.
- Store food well: Store any opened food in sealable, air-tight containers.
- Use food products in a timely manner: All dry goods should be used within four months of purchase.
- Inspect food before purchasing: When at the grocery store, avoid any items with holes or cracks in the packaging.
- Check expiration dates: In addition to adhering to the four-month rule, make sure your food is far from expiring before you buy it.
Expert Pantry Pest Removal in Santa Fe NM
When you find pantry pests in your kitchen, toss out any infested items in your outdoor trash bin and inspect the rest of your pantry for more infestations. If you believe you’ve done everything that you can to stop pantry pests and still are seeing them around, it’s time to reach out to a professional pantry pest exterminator. At New Mexico Pest Control, we train our technicians to swiftly and safely handle pantry pest outbreaks as well as teach people how to prevent them in the future. Contact us today for a free quote!
