As families and friends gather to celebrate the holidays - from Thanksgiving all the way to New Year’s Day - some of the fondest memories come from time spent in the kitchen creating tasty treats for everyone to share. However, nothing can ruin baking fun more than a newly-discovered pantry pest infestation.
The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) says the most common pantry pests include Indian meal moths and merchant grain beetles – neither of which belongs at your festive occasions.
The Indian meal moth will feed on anything from grains, seeds and pet food to dried red peppers, nuts and candy. A female moth can lay up to 200 eggs in a food source in just one week, leading to a severe infestation in a short amount of time.
Contrary to their name, merchant grain beetles prefer cereals, cake mixes, macaroni, chocolate and cookies to just plain grains. These flat, dark brown beetles have six saw-like teeth on each side of their bodies, allowing them to tear their way through thin plastic, paper and other flimsy food storage containers. Once they have settled in, they will continue to eat, live and breed within the food source.
As unappetizing and unpleasant as these pantry pests may be, the NPMA suggests the following prevention tips:
1. Add a bay leaf to canisters and packages of dry goods like flour, rice and other grains – the herb’s pungent scent repels many pantry pests.
2. Remove rice, pasta and grains from opened cardboard boxes or thin bags and keep them in plastic or glass containers with tightfitting lids instead.
3. Store seasonal decor such as dried foliage, potpourri and Indian corn in airtight containers during off seasons and unpack them outdoors to check for pests before bringing them inside.
4. Regularly inspect cabinets, pantries and other food storage spaces to catch any signs of an impending infestation. Toss anything that seems suspect or damaged.
5. Practice good sanitation. Clean up spills immediately and keep counters, shelves and cabinets clean of crumbs. Additionally, eliminate all moisture sites including leaking pipes and clogged drains.
6. If any foods show signs of an infestation, discard them in outdoor trash bins and clean all of the shelves with a vacuum.
