Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 2: Eradicating the pest
• Method 2 of 2: Prevent future infections

There are several types of kitchen pests, or kitchen pests, that like to contaminate foods typically stored in pantries and kitchen cupboards, such as flour, grains, spices, and sugar or candy. Typical kitchen pests include various types of wheat beetles, flour beetles and Indian flour moths. If you discover a kitchen pest infestation, it is important to eradicate the infestation completely and take precautions to prevent it from happening again.

To step

Method 1 of 2: Eradicating the pest

1. Inspect all food containers in your pantry and kitchen cupboards for bugs. Green beetles and weevils are small black or brown bugs. Indian flour moths are gray with brown or bronze-colored wings. Also, keep an eye out for silk thrush left behind by the moth's larvae.
   • Pay particular attention to flour, rice and other grain products.
   • Keep in mind that the pest is not always immediately visible. Therefore stir the contents of the packages or empty them on a baking tray to check.
   • Do not assume that a package does not contain bugs because it is tightly closed. Many types of kitchen pests can crawl through very small openings to get to your food.
2. Discard contaminated food and open containers. If you find contaminated food in your pantry, it is best to throw away any other open containers that are there as well. Even if you don't see any bugs, it is very likely that they have laid eggs in your open packs.
   • If you really don't want to toss the open packages in your closet, you can freeze the packages you didn't see any bugs in for three or four days to kill any larvae.
3. Get everything out of your pantry and vacuum the shelves. Take the hose from your vacuum cleaner and vacuum out all the shelves, nooks and crannies. This will suck up any remaining bugs and cocoons, as well as spilled crumbs and grains.
4. Wash the shelves with warm soapy water and a clean cloth or sponge. Do this to remove any remaining crumbs, dust and bugs or cocoons that the vacuum cleaner has missed. Go as deep into the nooks and crannies as possible.
   • Wash food containers with soapy water before returning them to your pantry.
5. Wipe all shelves with a solution of 50% water and 50% white vinegar. Vinegar works as a repellant against bugs in your closet. It also kills any bugs that are still hiding in your closet!
   • Don't use pesticides, bleach, or ammonia to wipe your closet. These chemicals prevent pests, but can pose a hazard if they come into contact with your food.
6. Remove garbage from your home immediately. Immediately tie up trash bags that you have thrown contaminated food into and take them outside. If you leave it in the kitchen, chances are your bugs will re-infest your closet.
   • Wash out your trash can with soap and water as best you can.
   • Take out the trash regularly to reduce the likelihood of attracting pests.
   • If you've flushed contaminated food down your sink, run the hot tap for one minute.

Method 2 of 2: Prevent future infections

1. Wipe spilled food and crumbs right off your countertops, shelves and floors. Always keep your kitchen and pantry as clean as possible. The longer crumbs and spilled food remain, the more likely it is that pests will come looking for a tasty snack.
   • Use soapy water or a disinfectant spray in combination with a clean cloth or sponge to remove food.
2. Buy food packaging that shows no signs of damage. Examine dry food packages in the store for signs of opening before taking them home. Even a small hole or crack means that the food may already be contaminated by bugs.
   • Try to buy quantities of flour, rice, and other grains that you will eat in two to four months. The longer something stays in your closet, the more likely it is to become infected.
3. Store food in your pantry in airtight glass, plastic, or metal storage containers. Buy some high-quality food containers with a tight seal to keep your grains and other products in your pantry. Remember that kitchen pests can crawl through very small holes, so an airtight seal is your best ally.
   • Preserving jars are a great airtight option for storing grains and other foods, and they look great in a tidy pantry too!
   • If you can store something from your pantry in the fridge, store it so that bugs can't get to it.
4. Put bay leaf in your pantry and food wrappers to keep moths away. Sprinkle bay leaf on the shelves of your pantry or place some on a shelf in an open container. Place one or two leaves in an open container of rice, flour or other grains.
5. Clean your pantry every three to six months. Even if you don't have an infestation, it's good to get everything out of your pantry and toss out old food that may attract bugs. Wash the shelves with warm water and soap and wipe them with a solution of 50% water and 50% vinegar.
   • If you have a recurring infestation, call a professional pest control agent to help you fix and prevent the problem.
   EXPERT TIP

   

   Scott McCombe

   
   
   Pest Repeller Scott McCombe is a director of Summit Environmental Solutions (SES), a local family business in Northern Virginia specializing in pest control, pest control and home insulation. Founded in 1991, SES has been rated A + by the Better Business Bureau and was awarded "Best of the Best 2017", "Top Rated Professional" and winner of the "Elite Service Award" by HomeAdvisor.

   Scott McCombe
   Pest Repeller

   Pesticides can help get rid of a pest. Install kitchen pest pheromone traps to help break the reproductive cycle. If necessary, you can also use a limited and targeted amount of long-term pesticide and growth inhibitors.