Pantry pests are a category of pest that we don’t discuss much. While they aren’t as inherently dangerous or problematic as many other common pests, pantry pests can still cause trouble for homeowners who don’t know they are present or how to deal with them.
In this article, we’ll talk about the various issues these pests can create and how you can control pantry pests in Charlotte. We’ll go over some of the most common types of pantry pests you might encounter, the damage they can cause if not dealt with quickly, and what you can do to make your pantry less attractive to them.
Finally, we’ll discuss how a professional pest control service, like our team at ProForce Pest Control, can help you get rid of pantry pests for good.
Types Of Pantry Pests: A Comprehensive Overview
Let’s start by discussing the various types of pantry pests in Charlotte you might encounter in your home. Ants, earwigs, beetles, and other such insects are prone to invade stored food and contaminate it. Other common pantry pests include moths and weevils. We’ll focus on two particular pests here – the Indian meal moth and the granary weevil.
Indian meal moths are typically a mix of coppery red, black, and white. They measure between 5/8 to 3/4 of an inch from wingtip to wingtip. Indian meal moths feed on a wide variety of foods, including dried fruits, dried peppers, dog food, bird seed, grain, nuts, and candy. Granary weevils have rounded bodies that are usually reddish-brown or black. They are between 1/8 to 1/4 inch long and primarily eat grains and grain products.
Now that you know about pantry pest identification, let’s discuss the damage these pests cause.
Pantry Pest Damage: How They Ruin Stored Food
Pantry pests, like the ones above, tend to be quite small. They are usually difficult to spot and often infest stored food before it reaches its final destination in someone’s home. Once established, pantry pests can often exist on their original food source until their population gets too large. At this point, they may leave to infest other nearby food sources, causing what appears to be a sudden infestation. In reality, however, the infestation started long before it became apparent.
So, how do you get rid of pantry pests?
Sealing The Deal: How To Properly Store Food To Deter Pantry Pests
As with most kinds of pests, the best measures to stop pantry pests are preventative in nature. Proper food storage and cleaning practices are the key. Here’s a list of things you can do to keep kitchen pantry pests away:
Store food in tightly sealed plastic or glass containers, rather than the original packaging.
Inspect your groceries for signs of damage before purchasing them.
Go through your pantry occasionally and get rid of any damaged or expired items.
Clean up food spills as quickly as they happen.
These tips should help you keep yourself and your family safe from the threat of pantry pests. If you need help getting rid of pantry pests, don’t hesitate to contact a professional pest control company.
Pantry Pest Extermination: When To Call In The Professionals For Help
When you can’t keep up with pantry pests in Charlotte alone, your best option is to call ProForce Pest Control. We’ve been assisting local residents with home pest control in Charlotte for years, and our top-notch services are well-known in our community. We’re committed to providing each customer with the best experience possible. With services covering almost every potential pest problem, there’s no need to wait; contact ProForce Pest Control today.
Our certified pest experts will work with you to find the best solution for your needs. Simply fill out this form for a free, no-obligation estimate.