Pantry Pests
Because pantry pests frequently live within food products, pesticides alone can’t control them. Crack and crevice treatments inside cupboards and around the kitchen are helpful, but won’t eliminate an infestation on their own. It takes other sanitation and removal measures to get rid of a pantry pest problem. If a non-food decorative item is infested, it can be treated with pesticides if desired. This can be done without objectionable odors by placing it in an airtight container or bag and fogging it.
Things you can do to help:
Most pantry pests are brought into the home in products purchased from the store. They can contain the pests in any stage of life, including eggs, and may not be detectable right away. It’s important not to buy damaged packages, as they have a higher risk of containing pests. Try not to buy large amounts of food that will end up not getting used right away. At home when you open any type of paper, cardboard, or plastic bag package containing food it should be transferred over to a more impervious container. Glass, metal, or Tupperware containers with tight-fitting lids work well. These not only keep pests out of the food, but keep them from spreading if they are in one item. Using older products before opening new ones will lessen the chance of infestation, and avoid mixing a small amount of old product with a large amount of new product. This can cause an unnoticed infestation to be spread to the new food material. Keeping food storage and preparation areas clean, and vacuuming out cracks will discourage would-be pests. If an item is suspected to be infested, it can be sealed in a clear plastic container. Some pests can take several weeks or more to emerge, but if they do you will see them. Don’t forget to be careful with items like pet food, birdseed, garden seeds, and rodent baits. These are all susceptible to infestation just like items we eat. If possible, keeping the humidity level low will help to keep items from being infested.
Some pantry pests can live off of dead animals or old bird nests outside the house, and migrate indoors. Keep areas adjacent to your house free of things like these so as not to attract them.
Extreme temperatures can be used to control pantry pests. Heating suspected items in a shallow pan in the oven will work. Heat for a minimum of 120° for an hour, 130° for 30 minutes, or 140° for 15 minutes. Depending on the material and pest, this should kill all forms of development. Items stored in the freezer are safe from pantry pest infestations, and the freezer can also be used to kill existing pests. Put items in a non-self defrosting freezer for at least 4 days to be sure.