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Pantry Pests

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Professional Pantry Pest Management In Santa Monica California

The insect classification “pantry pest” is utilized in reference to species that invade homes and then their panties. Pantry pests “stored product pests” feed on non-refrigerated, non-perishable food products that are stored in cabinets, shelves, and pantries. Flour, dry pet food and fruit, powdered milk, cornmeal, cookies, candy, bread, crackers, nuts, and spices make up the pantry pest diet.

The most commonly reported pantry pest species in Santa Monica are saw-toothed grain and cigarette “tobacco” beetles, and the Indian meal moth. These insects invade buildings, such as houses and commercial buildings, in hopes of accessing an endless supply of food.

As long as there is a food source, the pantry pest will continue to breed. Experts claim most pantry pest species can generate two, three, or four generations of little memes like themselves over a 1-year duration.

Pantry pests do not discriminate between homes, they target them all, regardless of cleanliness.

Pantry Pest Physical Characteristics

Pantry Pest Indian Meal Moth

The Indian meal moth “Plodia interpunctella”  is identified by its unique coloration, which is in layers of reddish/black, tan, and reddish/black, with a shiny copper tone. The legs and antennas are black. The adult does not ingest food, but the larvae have a nonstop appetite. When food packaging damage is noted, it is contributed to the larvae’ strong appetite because the adult does not consume food.

The insect constructs homespun cocoons to house its eggs. The cocoons can be found in what the insect believes to be a discrete location. To avoid capture, the Indian meal moth will access the highest points in a home. For example, the insect access tall ceilings that are hard to reach for most humans.

The diet consists of typical pantry pest food.

Pantry Pest Saw-Toothed Grain Beetle

The saw-toothed grain beetle “Oryzaephilus surinamensis” is identified by its thin, flat body that grows up to one-tenth of an inch in length, and thorax projections that replicate the blade of a handsaw. The tooth-like projections are utilized to rip into manufacturing packagings utilized to store non-perishables. They are also helpful in combat and copulation.

The adult and larvae feed on non-perishable, dry food products like birdseed, dog and cat food, spices, dry cereal, homemade candy and cookies, and just about anything that can be easily accessed.

Pantry Pest Cigarette “Tobacco” Beetle

The cigarette beetle “Lasioderma serricorne,” also known as the tobacco beetle grows up to one-eighth of an inch in length. The insect is easily identified by its humpback and hairy body. Smoking and non-smoking tobacco products – cigarettes, snuff, chewing tobacco, and cigars – make up the cigarette beetle’s diet.

The insect can also be found feeding on typical pantry pest food.

Why Is My Santa Monica Home Under A Pantry Pest Attack?

Pantry pests target all buildings in close proximity to their colonies. They infiltrate buildings through small openings around damaged siding, vulnerable foundations, door and window frames, air conditioner ducts, and basement vents. It only takes one adult female pantry pest and a food source to create a full-blown infestation in less than a year.

Most pantry pests adult females produce up to 400 eggs every 18 days. The Indian meal moth can lay eggs every 25 days. These prolific breeders invade homes with no intention of leaving. Pest management intervention is the only hope of eradicating the entire colony.

Most Commonly Report Pantry Pest Infestation Signs

Most pantry pest species are difficult to detect because of their small size, neutral coloration, and discrete behavior. Damaged food packages, live insects foraging for food in the kitchen and dining room, swarming insects flying low over food-contaminated surfaces, and live larvae in opened food packages are signs of a pantry pest infestation.

Pantry pests are drawn to bright lighting, which is where they can be found when no foraging for food or building nests.

Do Pantry Pests Pose A Health Risk To My Family?

Pantry pests do not transmit diseases or parasites to animals or humans. However, they notoriously contaminate non-perishable food products that are stored in vulnerable manufacturing packagings. Foodborne illness is a possibility for those who unknowingly ingest the contaminated food. The pantry pest ingests contaminated food that is expelled from the body through fecal material. The insect will deposit the contaminated feces in the home’s food source. This is how pantry pest-foodborne illnesses get started in many cases.

The good news, victims need not be concerned about dangerous insect diseases or parasites. But, foodborne illnesses can be fatal in young children and vulnerable seniors.

Which Pest Control Strategy Do You Recommend For Pantry Pest Infestations?

Regardless of the severity of the infestation or how many pantry pests are involved, we always recommend professional pest management. Our exterminators will work with you to develop a custom treatment plan that is guaranteed to meet or exceed your pest control needs.

Our professional pest management solutions combine multiple treatments – pesticides and traps or fumigation and traps. Our pest control is so powerful that it can successfully eradicate a full-blown pantry pest infestation in only a few treatments.

In the meantime, we highly recommend an updated food storage and household waste disposal systems. Never store food in manufacturing packaging because it is designed to offer only temporary storage. Immediately remove the food from store-bought packages to glass or BPA hard plastic containers with lids.

Household waste should be removed from the inside to an outdoor trash bin at least once a day. However, to achieve the maximum results from our professional pest control, we recommend removing the waste after each meal.

What Is The Recommended Pantry Pest Prevention Method?

There is no single pest control treatment that is guaranteed to offer 100 percent full pantry pest extermination. We start with a basic pest control prevention strategy, altering it until we believe it will deliver a higher than satisfactory outcome.

In the meantime, you can take matters into your homes by updating your non-perishable food storage system. The transition from manufacturing packaging to sealed containers to protect yourself and your family from pantry pest-foodborne illness risks.

The next step is to tackle your household waste disposal routine. If you generally remove household waste from your home once a day, we recommend twice a day. This will be the beginning of removing all food sources from the reach of pantry pests.

We do not recommend combining fresh with existing food, even though it is not outdated. It is much safer to dispose of older food products than combining them with the fresher alternative.

Develop a cleaning strategy that targets your pantries and other storage areas. Utilize a vacuum to remove all potential pantry pest larvae, eggs, and fecal matter. Wipe down the walls of each cabinet with mild soap and water at least once a month.

Last, but not least, we recommend inspecting grocery bags as soon as they enter your home. Some pantry pest species travel from point A to point B in store-bought food.

Can I Schedule The Pantry Pest Inspection To Fit My Hectic Schedule?

Absolutely, we highly recommend choosing a date that is convenient for yourself and your family members. We work extended hours to bring our professional pest management services to all Santa Monica residents. Our licensed exterminators will gladly work around your schedule to rule out any potential inconvenience for all involved parties.

We need between 24 and 48 hours to process your pantry pest inspection request. So, do not delay submitting your service request.

Do Pantry Pest Extermination Methods Pose Environmental Risks?

Improper handling, storage, and transport of chemical pesticides do not both environmental and human health risks. To rule out all potential environmental chemical exposure risks, we heed the manufacturer’s recommendations. We also take into account the US Environmental Protection (EPA) pesticide guidelines.

In the United States, all manufacturers are required by law to submit a list of the ingredients found in their pesticides before they can legally enter the market. The EPA also requires pesticide manufacturers to explain why they believe the ingredients are safe.

Is It Possible To Prevent A Repeat Pantry Pest Infestation?

Yes, by heeding our recommendations, your home will remain pantry pest-free for as long as you reside in it. You can always count on our qualified pest control experts to help out in your time of need. We will gladly help you educate your family on the dangers of pantry pest infestations. We can also provide suggestions and put your mind at ease when things get tough.

If you have any other pest control issues please check out other services.

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