Discovering insects in your food or pantry is one of the quickest appetite killers around. It often leaves to questions such as, "How long has this been going on?", "Were these things in the box last time I used it?" or "How did they get in there to start with?"
More than likely, the pests were transported to your home from a previously infested package, bag or box while it was in a distribution center or warehouse. Upon arrival in your pantry, they could have moved from the one infested source to other packages. The amount of items they infest will depend primarily on the amount of time/breeding cycles they've had before control measures where implemented.
Pantry pest have four life cycle stages, which include the egg, larvae, pupae and adult. Typically, you will find all four stages in the infested grain products simultaneously.
A pantry pest infestation begins when female pests lay their eggs loosely on the fine materials or broken kernels. The eggs are covered with a sticky secretion which fine food material adheres to. As the egg hatches, the food particles that surrounded the egg become a food source for the larvae. After feeding for a period of time, the larvae transforms to a pupa, then gradually into an adult. At the adult stage, the pests reproduce, and then the cycle starts all over again.
Control Measures
To gain control of a pantry pest infestation, you must start with a through inspection of all the food products in your kitchen pantry or cabinets. It's a good idea to search the opened products first; they have the greatest probability of infestation. For products that appear to be fine, transfer them to containers with tight lids.
For products that are not for consumption and you wish to keep (such as Indian Corn decorations), freeze them for 4-7 days. A deep freeze will take care of pests in all life cycle stages.
For infested products, dispose of all packaging and contents. In areas you have found infestation, use a strong vacuum to all clean all food remnants. Give special attention to the crack and crevice areas where the insects or food could hide.
Even the most thorough vacuuming job will often leave some fine food particles on your shelves, so use soapy water or diluted bleach to wipe down the shelving afterwards. It's also a good idea to ensure the underside of the shelving is cleaned, as the pests could be hiding anywhere.
Once the issue is under control, you can prevent future infestations buy practicing proper storage procedures and good sanitation.
Steven is Co-founder of Titus Pest Control. For more of his writings, visit his Pest Control Articles Page.
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