Pantry Pests

Las Vegas is home to pantry pests or stored product pests. The group of pests like invading residential structures so they can consume processed foods. Pantry pests will consume a wide assortment of products, including dried fruit, dried nuts, birdseed, crackers, spices, bread, powdered milk, dry pet food, and more. If you suspect you have pantry pests, you’ll need to carefully check your food products. Remember that Las Vegas is home to several overwintering pests, including Indian meal moths, cigarette beetles, and saw-toothed grain beetles.

Pantry pests breed rapidly and consistently because they live in their food sources. As a result, they can breed around the clock and often produce a handful of generations every year. You can clean your home every hour and still experience a pantry pest invasion. It says nothing about your housekeeping practices.

Identifying Pantry Pests

Learn how to identify pantry pests so you can deal with them promptly. Below, you’ll find out what they look like.

Indian Meal Moths

Las Vegas is home to Indian meal moths which are small moths that have numerous colors. Their front half tends to be white and gray while their back is coppery. Another thing to note is that they have reddish-brown wings. Although the moths are difficult to eliminate, you have to worry about the larvae because they destroy your food products. They will consume a variety of food products so they can thrive in any home.

These pantry pests are difficult to eliminate since the moths can travel to and build cocoons throughout the home.

Saw-Toothed Grain Beetles

Las Vegas residents are also going to run into saw-toothed grain beetles. These brown beetles only reach a tenth of an inch so they’re difficult to spot. They have six projections on both sides of their thoraxes. These tooth projections look a lot like saws. Unfortunately, saw-toothed grain beetles cause immense food damage because adults and larvae attack dried foods. They will destroy many foods, including rodent bait, birdseed, flour, cereal, dried fruit, and pet food.

Cigarette Beetles

Cigarette beetles prefer consuming tobacco products, including cigarettes and cigars. They’ll also attack loose tobacco, spices, wreaths, cereals, nuts, and more. These pantry pests are light brown and grow up to an eighth of an inch. They have a humped back so you can identify them easily. Although they have smooth wings, their body hairs make them look fuzzy.

Reasons For Pantry Pests

You’re likely interested in finding out why you have pantry pests in your home. In general, pantry pest invasions occur because you purchased contaminated food products. It has nothing to do with your housekeeping activities. Even if you clean your home thoroughly each day, there is a risk that you’re going to bring overwintering pests into your home. Remember that an infestation can begin with a few pantry pests before quickly spiraling out of control. They live in their food sources meaning they can reproduce effortlessly.

It is common for most pantry pests to produce a few new generations every year.

Identifying Pantry Pest Infestations

You have to know how to identify a pantry pest infestation in your home. How can you be positive that your home has pantry pests? Ultimately, it isn’t easy to spot an infestation. Many people live with pantry pests for months without identifying the problem. It happens. They often blend in with their foods sources so you’ll need to look carefully. The best way to determine that you have a problem is by checking your food products. Place the food in a plastic bag and wait a few weeks. If the food is infested with pantry pests, you’ll find small pests in the food package.

Primary Health Hazards Associated With Pantry Pests

Thankfully, most pantry pests are not dangerous. They do not attack or transmit illnesses. Since they’re difficult to spot, it is common for people to swallow pantry pests and their eggs. It happens. Although it sounds horrible, it isn’t dangerous. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about these pests making you sick. They’re not known to carry or spread diseases, parasites, or dangerous pathogens.

Avoiding Pantry Pest Invasions

You must take steps to prevent pantry pests from entering your home and turning your life upside down. Use the tips below to prevent them from getting inside.

• Always store your food products in tough containers. Make sure that the lid is shut well to prevent bugs from getting inside. Also, do not use paper or cardboard because pantry pests will chew through these materials.
• Take the time to clean your pantry shelves regularly. Get rid of food crumbs and leftovers to avoid problems.
• When buying new food products, never put them in containers with old food products. Unless you’re positive that the food is free of pests, keep them separated.
• Be sure to clean your old food containers before using them once again.

Don’t forget that you can check to find out if something is infested. As mentioned above, place the food in a plastic bag and wait a few weeks. Once you’ve done that, you’ll know whether the food has overwintering pests.

Eradicating Overwintering Pest Infestations

You cannot ignore pantry pests because they’re going to damage your food products. With that being said, you have to go above and beyond to identify and address the problem. Pantry pests are tough to eliminate because spotting them won’t be easy. You also have to be careful when using DIY methods because many of them are unsafe and others are unsafe. If you want to tackle this problem on your own, be sure to use the tips provided below.

• Get rid of any food products that contain pantry pests. Place them in plastic bags before throwing them in the garbage.
• Carefully clean your pantry shelves. Remove all items before using your vacuum to clean up leftovers, pests, and eggs. Place the debris in plastic bags before disposing of the bags.
• Finally, wash the walls and shelves of your pantry. Once you’ve done that, you can begin using your pantry again.

Although over-the-counter pesticides can help, they’re not recommended. It is best to avoid them because some of them are dangerous. If they’re misused or incorrectly mixed, they could be dangerous. We hope you’ll work with us because we can protect you during each phase of the process.

When Can Someone Get Here?

Get in touch with our Las Vegas professionals right away. After your call, we’ll get back to you within a day or two.

How Safe Are Your Treatments?

We work diligently to ensure that our clients are going to be protected during each phase of the treatment. When you work with us, you can guarantee that you’ll be safe. We’ll make this our top priority. Our technicians eliminate pantry pests and other pests using products registered with the Environmental Protection Agency because they’re safe and reliable. We know that they do not pose any risks. Our technicians will do whatever they can to keep you safe.

Preventing Similar Problems

Be careful when purchasing food products. Check the items carefully to make sure that they do not contain pantry pests. Keep your pantry shelves clean and tidy to avoid potential problems.

If you have any other pest control issues please check out other services.