Serving Memphis, Cordova, Germantown & Collierville TN
Digging through your pantry when preparing your favorite meal can uncover the presence of insects in your flour, spices, or other packaged foods. These pantry pests, also known as stored product pests, typically gather inside of or near pantry or cabinets. From merchant grain beetles and Indian meal moths to flour beetles and other insects, these pests are brought in your home without your knowledge. They are often inside unsealed bags and paper packaging. Therefore, your professional pest control company in Memphis, AAA Termite & Pest Control, shares some helpful tips for pantry-proofing your food to prevent pests.
Merchant Grain Beetles
Merchant grain beetles love to eat processed items like chocolate, cake mix, cookies, and cereal. Although the word grain appears in the pest’s name, merchant grain beetles are typically not found in raw grain products, such as rice. Your leading pest control technicians in Cordova at AAA Termite and Pest Control describe the merchant grain beetle as a small pest with a flat brown body and six saw-like teeth.
Indian Meal Moths
Indian meal moths were given their name by an insect scientist that discovered the moth eating cornmeal. According to your highly trained Memphis pest control technicians at AAA Termite & Pest Control, the moths feed on a wide variety of foods and lurk in multiple areas of the home. Indian meal moths consume seeds, dog food, birdseed, dried fruits, candy, dried red pepper, chocolate, candy, grains, and nuts.
Flour Beetles
Known to consume wheat and other grains, the flour beetle has adapted to live in extensively dry environments. The larvae of the flour beetle are mealworms that can decimate large stores of grains and cereals. Flour beetles can withstand higher amounts of radiation than the common cockroach, according to your Cordova pest control technicians at AAA Termite & Pest Control.
Prevention Tips
The best way to keep pests from penetrating your pantry and ruining your food source is through preventative measures. The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) and your certified Memphis pest control company, AAA Termite & Pest Control, share the following tips for keeping your pantry pest-free.
- Smart Shopping – Pantry pests are often carried home from the grocery store in products already infested. While shopping, if you notice the package, box, or bag is heavily damaged or opened, opt for another package or product.
- Seal Packaging – When your food is stored correctly, it can help prevent insects in your pantry. Therefore, after you open a package, move the product to a sealing bag or container with a tight-fitting lid to keep pests away.
- Use Bay Leaves – Bay leaves added to flour, rice, and other grains will repel pests using its pungent scent.
- Check Expiration Dates – Before loading the items in your cart, check the expiration date printed on the product packaging. Also, periodically check the items in your pantry to ensure they have not expired. However, when you find expired products or items stored for a prolonged period, throw them out.
- Clean Your Kitchen – Although it may sound like a basic idea, the cleanliness of your kitchen can deter pests as they find it challenging to locate a food source. Wipe up spills and crumbs from the countertops, shelves, tables, and floors to keep pests at bay.
Pest Control in Cordova and Memphis, Tennessee
When you open your cabinet and find pests in your food, discard the item immediately in a sealed, outdoor trash can to prevent re-infestation. If you struggle to control pests inside your home, then it is time to contact a professional pest control company in Cordova, like AAA Termite & Pest Control. Give us a call at (901) 737-7378 or contact us online to schedule a home evaluation.