Identifying Pantry Pests That Eat Your Packaged Food

Pantry pests can easily invade your kitchen and spoil stored food. These pests can find their way into sealed containers, causing damage and contamination. Understanding which pantry pests target your packaged food and knowing the signs of infestation can help prevent a serious problem.

Common types of pantry pests

Several types of pantry pests can invade your home, each with different habits. Indian meal moths, for example, are one of the most common offenders. They lay eggs in stored food, and the larvae cause significant damage as they eat their way through flour, rice and cereals. You might notice these moths flying around your kitchen, but the real issue is the larvae in your food stocks.

Another common pantry pest is the flour beetle. These tiny beetles infest dried foods such as flour, pasta, and spices. They often find their way into improperly sealed containers, causing contamination. Flour beetles are hardy pests that can thrive in warm, humid environments, making them particularly troublesome in kitchens with high moisture levels.

Other insects in stored food

Ants can get into food of course and will set up trails for other ants to follow. Weevils are a common pantry pest known for infesting grains, flour, and pasta. These tiny beetles can enter food packaging through small holes or gaps. Female weevils lay their eggs inside grain kernels, and as the larvae develop, they consume the food from the inside out.

The strangely named cigarette beetle and drugstore beetle (also known as the biscuit beetle or bread beetle) are other pantry pests to watch for. They chew through packaging, allowing bacteria to spread in stored food. These beetles are attracted to dried foodstuffs, grains and spices and can be difficult to spot at first. Their small size allows them to enter packages, even those that seem sealed.

Signs of pantry pests and prevention tips

It’s essential to regularly inspect your pantry for any signs of pantry pests. If you notice small holes in packaging or find moth larvae or beetles, these are clear indicators of an infestation. Often, these pests enter your home via contaminated food bought from stores.

We always recommend storing dry goods in airtight containers. Regular cleaning of your pantry and proper food storage can also reduce the risk of an infestation. It’s essential to wipe down surfaces, clean spill, and vacuum any food crumbs that might attract these pests. These pests thrive in poorly maintained spaces, so regular maintenance is key to prevention. If you find evidence of pantry pests, disposing of the contaminated food immediately is important.

We offer pest control in Hertfordshire and the South-East. If you need us to help deal with pantry pests, give us a call.