How to Get Rid of Pantry Bugs

If you’ve ever opened an old bag of flour or rice in your pantry only to discover dozens of minuscule bugs crawling everywhere, you’ve encountered pantry beetles. True to their name, pantry beetles and pantry pests are known to infest flour, cake mixes, grains, sugar, and more—and it’s easy for them to do so when you don’t store your dry goods properly. Thankfully, there are a number of simple beetle prevention tips that can help prevent these frustrating insects.

Keep reading to learn how to get rid of pantry beetles to keep these pesky insects out of your Peekskill NY property year-round.

Pantry Bugs to Look For

Pantry beetles aren’t the most dangerous pests, but they are nonetheless a nuisance to deal with. There are three main types of pantry pests and beetles to be aware of: 

1. Rice weevils: Most distinguishable by their long snouts, weevils are ⅛ – ¼ inch long, have short life spans and are found in nuts, seeds, cereals, and grains.
2. Indian meal moths: Named for their affinity for frains, Indian meal moths are up to 5/8″ and have a reddish-brown pattern. Infestations start in pet food or birdseed.
3. Confused flour beetles: These beetles resemble the red flour beetle except for the antennae, which are four segmented and gradually thickens towards the tip.
4. Sawtoothed grain beetles: These stored product pests are common in commercial facilities and get their name from the six saw-like projections on their bodies.
5. Merchant grain beetles: These grain beetles are similar to sawtoothed beetles, but are capable of flying. They are often found scavenging on grains previously fed on.

How to Control Pantry Pest Problems

To avoid an infestation in your cupboards, there are several things you can do to lessen the risk of an infestation:

1. Properly store pantry items. Store dry goods and baking ingredients in airtight containers to keep beetles out.
2. Use bay leaves. Place a bay leaf inside canisters of dry goods like flour, rice, and other grains to repel pantry beetles.
3. Inspect your groceries. At the grocery store, be wary of buying items that appear damaged or used.
4. Check for expiration dates. Regularly look through your pantry and toss any expired items.
5. Keep a clean kitchen. Promptly clean up spills or messes to avoid attracting beetles. Clean out your pantry on a regular basis.

How to Get Rid of Pantry Bugs & Beetles

If you’ve done all you can to implement pantry beetle prevention and still end up with an infestation, it’s important to act fast to control the pests. Toss any infested items in a secure trash can outdoors, and thoroughly clean out your shelves. If you’re still dealing with beetles, it’s recommended to call an expert pantry beetle exterminator like Garrie Pest Control. Contact us today for more information!