Pantry Pests

Identification

Pantry pests are insects that infest stored foods such as flour, cereal, nuts, dried fruits, spices, and pet food. They can contaminate more food than they eat and cause damage to the quality and safety of your food products. 

There are many kinds of insects that can be considered pantry pests, but some of the most common ones in Madison Wisconsin are:

• Indian meal moths: These are small moths with two-tone wings that are gray or cream in the front and coppery in the back. They are often found flying around the kitchen or near light sources. They lay their eggs on or near dried foods, especially cereals, grains, nuts, and pet food. Their larvae are white or pinkish caterpillars that spin webs and leave frass (waste) in the infested food.
• Sawtoothed grain beetles: These are small, flat, brown beetles that have a sawtoothed edge on the body segment behind their head. They can squeeze into small cracks and crevices and infest a variety of foods, such as flour, rice, pasta, chocolate, tobacco, and other grain-based products. They can also feed on other pantry pests and their eggs.
• Flour beetles: These are small, reddish-brown beetles that are similar to sawtoothed grain beetles but lack the sawtoothed edge. They feed on flour, cereals, crackers, cookies, cake mixes, and other processed foods. They can also produce a foul odor and a toxic substance that can cause allergic reactions in some people.
• Cockroaches: These are large, brown, or black insects that have a flattened body and long antennae. They are nocturnal and hide in dark and moist places. They feed on almost anything, including pantry foods, crumbs, grease, paper, glue, leather, and even other insects. They can also carry diseases and cause allergies and asthma.
• Spiders: These are eight-legged arthropods that have a segmented body and fangs. They are predators that feed on other insects, including pantry pests. They can spin webs or hide in cracks and corners. Some spiders can bite humans and cause pain or allergic reactions.

Lifecycle

The life cycle of pantry pests varies depending on the species, but generally consists of four stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult.

• Egg: The female insect lays eggs on or near the food source that will provide nourishment for the larvae. The number of eggs laid depends on the species and can range from a few to hundreds. The eggs hatch in a few days to a few weeks depending on the temperature and humidity.
• Larva: The larval stage is the feeding and growing stage of the insect. The larvae consume the food source and molt several times before reaching maturity. The larval stage can last from a few weeks to several months depending on the species and environmental conditions.
• Pupa: The pupal stage is the resting and transforming stage of the insect. The larvae stop feeding and spin cocoons or form capsules around themselves. Inside the pupa, the insect undergoes metamorphosis and changes into an adult insect. The pupal stage can last from a few days to a few weeks depending on the species and environmental conditions.
• Adult: The adult stage is the reproductive stage of the insect. The adult insects emerge from the pupa and mate with other adults of the same species. The females then lay eggs to start a new generation of insects. The adult stage can last from a few days to several months depending on the species and environmental conditions.

Conditions Conducive to Survival

Pantry pests thrive in warm and humid conditions that favor their reproduction and development. They also prefer dark places where they can hide from predators and light sources. Some factors that can create favorable conditions for pantry pests are:

• Poor sanitation: Leaving food crumbs, spills, or residues in your kitchen or pantry can attract pantry pests and provide them with food and moisture. It is important to clean your kitchen and pantry regularly and thoroughly to remove any potential food sources for pantry pests.
• Improper storage: Storing food in open or damaged packages can allow pantry pests to access and infest your food. It is advisable to store food in sealed, airtight containers that can prevent pantry pests from entering or escaping. You should also check the expiration dates of your food and discard any old or spoiled food.
• Infested products: Bringing home infested products from the grocery store or warehouse can introduce pantry pests into your kitchen or pantry. You should inspect the packages of your food before buying or opening them and look for signs of infestation, such as holes, webbing, frass, or live insects. You should also isolate any new or suspicious products from your existing food supply until you are sure they are pest-free.

Fun Facts

• Indian meal moths are named after their preference for Indian cornmeal, but they are not native to India. They are native to Europe and were introduced to North America by early settlers.
• Flour beetles are used as model organisms in genetics and toxicology research. They have a short life cycle, many offspring, and a simple genome that makes them easy to manipulate and study.
• Cockroaches can survive without their heads for up to a week. They breathe through holes in their body segments and are not dependent on their mouth to breathe.

Kwik Kill Services to control Pantry Pests:

In most cases, the best course of action for pantry pests is going to be source reduction. Clean up any food crumbs and improperly stored food to limit feeding opportunities. If it’s something more serious like cockroaches, then reach out to a professional pest control company like Kwik Kill Pest Control an honest evaluation to meet your specific needs!

Cockroach Elimination

Additional Information:

https://ipm.ucanr.edu/QT/pantrypestscard.html
https://extension.umn.edu/product-and-houseplant-pests/pantry-pests-insects-found-stored-food
https://extension.umd.edu/resource/kitchen-and-pantry-pests