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Pantry pests: Insects found in stored food

Quick facts

Insects infesting stored foods such as flour, cereal and other dried goods, is one of the most common household insect problems. The many different kinds of insects that infest dried foods are often called "pantry pests."

  • You can find pantry pests when they leave infested foods to crawl or fly around the house.
  • They often gather in pots, pans or dishes or on window sills.
  • They do not bite or sting people or pets and they do not feed on or damage buildings.
  • Pantry pests contaminate more food than they eat.  
  • Throwing away contaminated food and thoroughly cleaning cupboards and surfaces where the food was stored are the best ways to get rid of these insects.

Most dried food products can be infested by insects

Indianmeal moth adults, larvae and webbing.
  • Cereal products (flour, cake mix, cornmeal, rice, spaghetti, crackers, and cookies) 
  • Seeds such as dried beans and popcorn 
  • Nuts 
  • Chocolate
  • Raisins and other dried fruits 
  • Spices 
  • Powdered milk 
  • Tea 
  • Cured meats 

Other items that may be infested include birdseed, dry pet food, ornamental corn, dried flowers and plants, garden seeds, potpourri and rodent baits.

Pantry pests are most likely to infest products that have been opened but they also can get into unopened paper, thin cardboard, and plastic, foil or cellophane-wrapped packages. They may chew their way into packages or crawl in through folds and seams.

Insects inside an infested package multiply and can spread to other stored foods not only in the same area but in other rooms in a home.

All insect stages (egg, larva, pupa, and adult) may be present at the same time in infested products.

Where do they come from?

A stored food product can become infested from production until it arrives in your home. But stored food is most likely to become infested in the grocery store or in homes. Most pantry pests also infest stored grain and may be found outdoors.

Food products that are left in storage for a long time are prone to infestation. But foods of any age can become infested.

Control and prevent pantry pests

How to keep insects from getting into your food

  • Buy dried foods in quantities small enough to be used up in a short period of time (two to four months).
  • Use oldest products before newer ones, and opened packages before unopened ones.
  • Inspect packages or bulk products before buying.
    • Packages should be sealed and unbroken.
    • Check the freshness packaging date.
    • Look for evidence of insects including holes in the packaging or wrapping.
  • Store insect-free foods in tightly closed glass, metal or heavy plastic containers. You can also store foods in the refrigerator or freezer.
  • Keep food storage areas clean. Clean up crumbs or spilled food immediately.
  • Throw away old, unused products.
  • Thoroughly clean cracks and corners of cupboards with a vacuum cleaner.
  • Check and clean areas where pet food and birdseed are stored.

Washing areas with detergents, ammonia, or bleach will not prevent insect infestation. There is no evidence that placing bay leaves or sticks of spearmint gum in a cupboard will prevent or get rid of stored food insect pests.

How do to be sure you have a pantry pest infestation

Signs you may have a problem:

  • Small beetles in dried food products.
  • Beetles on counters and in cupboards.
  • Beetles found around windows.
  • Indianmeal moths flying around kitchens and other rooms.
  • Caterpillars on walls and ceilings in rooms next to infestations.
  • Caterpillars and silk webbing inside infested food packages.

Not all small beetles or moths found indoors are pantry pests. If there is not a direct association with food, be sure the insects are identified correctly by an expert to determine whether they are a stored product food insect.

When you know a stored product problem is present, be sure to examine all susceptible food as there could be more than one infested source. When inspecting, look at the top surface of products with a flashlight or pour the package contents onto a cookie sheet.

How to get rid of pantry pests

When you find food that is infested, throw it away.

Use a vacuum cleaner to thoroughly clean cabinets and shelves, especially in cracks and corners. This will pick up crawling insects and spilled or infested material. Empty the vacuum cleaner or discard the vacuum cleaner bag after use to prevent re-infestation.

Washing shelves with detergent, bleach, ammonia, or disinfectants will not keep pantry pests from returning and could be dangerous if the chemicals come in contact with food.

To prevent re-infestation, store foods in sealable glass, metal, or heavy plastic containers or in the freezer or refrigerator until you are sure the infestation is gone.

It is not unusual to see an Indianmeal moth flying for up to three weeks after the infested food has been thrown out. However, if you continue to see Indianmeal moths after three weeks, that means there is an infested food source that you haven't found yet.

If you have older food products and you are not sure if they are infested, you can put them in the freezer at 0 degrees for at least four days or in shallow cookie sheets or pans in an oven at 130 degrees for at least 30 minutes. These temperatures will kill any eggs or insects.

If insects are infesting ornaments or decorations made with plant products or seeds, place the items in a freezer for at least four days.

Insecticides

  • Insecticides are not recommended for controlling insects in stored food cupboards.
  • Household insecticides have no effect on insects inside food packages. 
  • Any control of insects outside of packaging is temporary unless you find and get rid of the source of the infestation.
  • Any food that comes in contact with insecticide must be thrown away and cupboards, containers and dishes must be thoroughly washed and dried before being used again.

How to identify common pantry pests

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Reviewed in 2024

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