Everyone has a different level of tolerance for pests. Some do not mind if they find the occasional insect crawling on their floor. Others would go as far as to tolerate spider webs around the exterior of their home. But we think it is fair to say that no one finds it acceptable for bugs to lay eggs inside their food. Your boxes of cereal, chips, and crackers are not to be messed with, yet pantry pests would love to crawl inside them for their benefit. Here is why pantry pests invade homes here in Houston and some things you should consider that will help you keep them out of your food.
Adult Pantry Pests Don’t Eat Human Food
Many people do not know that once panty pests reach adulthood, they stop consuming human food. That said, you may still find fully grown moths and beetles inside your stored food products. They are there, not to steal food but to lay their eggs. These eggs take two to seven days to hatch and then fourteen to forty days to fully develop. During this developmental stage, these bugs consume stored dried foods like cereal, beans, and rice. One fully matured pantry pest will venture off into homes and look for other food sources nearby to lay eggs inside.
How Pantry Pests Get Into Boxes Of Food
Although pantry pests can chew through cardboard, they usually don’t because they don’t know what is on the other side. Most often, pantry pests invade boxes of dried foods that are already open or have damage that allows them an easy way inside. What most people do not consider is that panty pest infestations do not always start in the home. Often these bugs invade boxes and bags of food at the factory or a store. This means by the time they reach your home, eggs have already hatched, and grubs are already chewing their way to adulthood.
Are Pantry Pests Dangerous?
Thankfully, pantry pests are not known for spreading disease. You could eat a bowl of cereal that has these invasive bugs inside of it. Would you want to eat cereal infested with grubs? Probably not. This is why they are considered pests.
How To Prevent Pantry Pests
Pantry pests get into homes in more than just one way. To keep these bugs from getting into your foods, here are some general prevention tips to use.
- When you are out shopping, checkboxes of food for damage like rips, tears, and holes, if you find any of these warning signs, find another box that is in better shape.
- After opening sealed boxes of dried food, repackage them into tightly sealed plastic, glass, or metal containers.
- Invest in pest-proof shelving for your food storage areas.
- Identify cracks in your home’s foundation, spacing around utility piping and electrical wiring, and gaps around window/door frames. Seal these entry points using a caulking gun.
- Ensure your home’s window/door screens, weatherstripping, and door sweeps are in good working condition.
What To Do If Pantry Pests Invade
Throwing away your entire pantry will not solve a pantry pest infestation. Once mature, these bugs leave food storage and infest other areas around homes. To ensure you are not wasting money by throwing away box after box of infested food, let the experts at All-Safe Pest & Termite help you out. Our team will evaluate your problem, dispose of infested food properly, and eliminate pantry pests hiding around your living areas. Call us today to schedule your home pest control service visit or to hear more about our pest control options.