Pantry Pests & The Food You Eat
Insects come in all sizes and when it comes to pantry pests, think small. Weevils are one example of a pest that you might not only in the pantry, but also in the food you store there. Dermestid beetles are another common pantry pest. There is quite a long list of pests that make your pantry their home.
Pantry Pests In Bryan Texas
Pantry pests are divided into two categories – those that find your pantry on their own and those that you bring into your pantry. Yes, many pantry pests arrive in your groceries and dry foods such as flour.
Weevils and dermestid beetles often end up in your food because they are born there. When you buy processed foods, such as flour, you are also buying insect eggs that are in the flour. They are also in pasta, cereals, and other dry foods. The FDA allows so many insect parts per unit of food before it considers the food to be contaminated. Beyond the fact that this is kind of disgusting, pantry pest populations can bloom when the temperature and humidity reach proper proportions. When that happens, the eggs hatch and suddenly there are little black things in your flour or you might find mealy worms in your cereal.
Insects are one of the must successful groups of organisms on the planet. They are extremely hardy and while nobody really wanted to eat blueberry weevil muffins, we do consume insects.
There are some things you can do at home to prevent the pantry pest bloom. One is store try goods, such as flour in the freezer. You can also prevent insects from finding your pantry by keeping it clean and making sure that foods are stored in an airtight container.
If you have a pantry pest problem, we can help. Just reach out to our team and we can talk with you about what your options are for controlling and preventing pests in your pantry.
