Would you eat a bowl of cereal if it had little maggots squirming around inside of it? We hope not! If you even knew that pests had crawled over your food, you probably wouldn’t touch it. Why? Because pests are icky and often teeming with bacteria. One group of pests that loves to invade boxes of food in Houston are pantry pests. Here are some things you should know about these invasive bugs and one method to keep them out. To deal with an existing pantry pest problem quickly, call our team today. We will answer any questions you have about pest control in Houston and walk you through our treatment options.
Why Are There Pantry Moths In My Pantry?
Have you noticed copperish red-colored moths fluttering around near or inside your pantry? You might be dealing with an active infestation of Indian meal moths, which are also called pantry moths. The question is, why are they in your pantry? Pantry moths themselves have no interest in eating your stored food. Their young, on the other hand, love snacking on dried items like beans, rice, and cereal. You might find pantry moth larvae wriggling around inside stored boxes of food. If you find this disturbing, you are not alone.
Can Pantry Moths Eat Through Plastic?
One way pantry moths get into stored foods is by chewing through cardboard and soft plastic. They do this at food processing plants, grocery stores, and inside people’s homes. If pantry pests infest a food item before a box is sealed, they can chew their way out after hatching and growing into adulthood. If you are wondering: “How can I prevent pantry moths?” your best option is to check boxes of food for damage before purchasing them. If you see any gaps, cracks, or holes that pantry pests could have used to get inside, leave them at the store. To deal with an active pantry moth infestation inside your home, there is only one guaranteed solution, professional pest control. We recommend trusting the experts at All-Safe Pest & Termite.
Where Do Pantry Moths Lay Their Eggs?
You may have already guessed this, but pantry moths lay their eggs inside boxes of stored food. They prefer laying their eggs inside boxes of dried foods like cereal, grains, dry pasta, powdered milk, cornstarch, crackers, bread, dried nuts, fruit, and many more items. Laid eggs can take anywhere from two to seven days to hatch. Once hatched, larvae take 14 to 40 days to develop into full adults. If eggs are laid at the supermarket, they are likely to hatch within a week after you bring an infested box home. This can quickly lead to a full-blown infestation. Another way pantry moths get into homes is by flying in through open windows, doors, and other entry points. Sealing these entry points is a great way to avoid a future infestation.
What Should I Do To Make Pantry Moths Go Away Permanently?
The best way to prevent pantry moths is with professional pantry pest control. At All-Safe Pest & Termite we use advanced pantry pest control products to eliminate active infestations inside homes. We know where these pests hide and we know how to identify them indoors. Let us use our expertise to handle your pest problems. If you are not currently dealing with pantry moths and are looking for a way to keep these pests out year-round, consider investing in one of our general pest control options.
Call today to discover more about pest control in Houston and find an active solution to your pantry moth problem.