Be on the watch for pantry pests

By Jeffrey Hahn, University of Minnesota Extension

Keep the bug spray holstered — there are smarter ways to manage the insects found in food bins.

A variety of common insects, including Indian-meal moths, flour beetles and saw-toothed grain beetles attack stored food products in our homes, especially during winter. They infest many types of dry food, including whole grains, cereal, pasta, spices, cake mix, raisins and other dried fruit, chocolate and nuts. They also gorge themselves on dry pet food and bird seed, and some may even attack non-food items such as mice baits and dry plant displays.

Sanitation is the best control. First, check all potentially susceptible food for insects (and in the case of Indianmeal moths, their webbing). When you discover infested products, throw them away into outside trash containers. You can save bird seed and pet food by freezing them at zero degrees for at least four days. Although dead bugs are unsavory to us, animals won’t be hurt or bothered.

Store uninfested food in containers with tight lids, such as glass jars or heavy plastic containers. You can also store products in your refrigerator. It’s not important to take special steps with food that is eaten on a regular basis, since pests tend to infest items you leave unused for longer periods. Be sure to remove crumbs and spilled food to reduce potential food sources for pantry pests.

Insecticides are not practical or necessary. You obviously can't spray insects in and around food without contaminating it. Spraying insects you find out in the open does not eliminate them as long as a food source is still present and accessible. If infested food is thrown away and uninfested food is properly stored, the cycle is broken and the insects will go away on their own.

(Jeffrey Hahn is an entomologist with University of Minnesota Extension.)