Many people associate the holiday season with baking a variety of treats and sweets with family and friends. However, opening up a bag of flour or sugar and finding small insects can cause all of that to come to screeching a halt. There are many different species of beetles, weevils, and moths that can infest a pantry, but collectively they’re know as stored food pests.

What To Look For

Stored food pests tend to infest pantry items like flour, cereal, nuts, pasta, and even candies and chocolate. Before baking it’s important to check your ingredients for signs of insect infestation. Initial signs can include small droppings or insects on the shelves next to the food items. In some cases, you’ll be able to see small holes or other damage to the box or container. Inside, evidence of an infestation can take different forms based on the species, but includes live insects, shed “skin”, and even small droppings. If signs of infestation are present, the item should be discarded immediately.

How to Keep Stored Food Pests Out

Some tips for making sure stored food pests don’t ruin your holiday baking plans include:

• At the store, check the packaging to ensure it’s properly sealed and there aren’t any signs of damage.
• Store food products in plastic or glass containers with airtight, secure lids.
• Keep pantry shelves and counters free from crumbs and other food sources.
• Routinely clean out the pantry and discard old and expired items.
• Discard the entire item if an infestation is found and thoroughly check other items stored close by.

If stored food pests keep spoiling your holiday plans, call the professionals at Bill’s Home Service. Our licensed technicians have the training and expertise to identify the pest issue and get your baking activities back on track. Give us a call today or visit our website for more information.