A-1 Pest Control North Carolina

Keep Pantry Pests Out of Your Home

Steps to Protect Your Stored Foods from Infestation

A pantry stocked with jars of flour, oats, apples. For the blog post titled "Pantry Pests"

You open your pantry, grab a bag of flour, and suddenly, tiny bugs are crawling inside. Or maybe you've noticed moths fluttering around your kitchen, and now you're wondering if they've been in your food. Pantry pests, including moths, weevils, and beetles, thrive in stored foods like flour, rice, and pasta. They sneak into your home through packaged goods, and before you know it, they’ve taken over your pantry. 

If you live in Western NC, you’re not alone. Pantry pests are a common issue, especially during winter when they seek warm indoor spaces. The good news? You can prevent an infestation and protect your food supply with the right approach.

If you're noticing moths in your kitchen or beetles in your pantry, it's time to take action. A-1 Pest Control offers pest control services in Lenoir, Mooresville, and surrounding areas to help keep your home pest-free year-round.

What Are Pantry Pests?

Pantry pests aren’t just annoying, they contaminate your food. These small insects lay eggs inside food packaging, and when they hatch, the larvae begin feeding on your grains, flour, and cereals. The worst part? You might not notice them until it’s too late. 

Some infestations go undetected for weeks or even months, and by then, they’ve likely spread to multiple food items. Unlike common household pests like ants or roaches, pantry pests don’t carry diseases or bite, but they do ruin food. No one wants to eat flour full of moth larvae or rice crawling with weevils.

A moth on a wall for the blog titled "Pantry Pests."

Common Pantry Pests to Watch For

If you know what to look for, you can spot an infestation early and stop it from spreading.

Indian Meal Moths

Indian meal moths are one of the most frustrating pantry pests because they spread fast. The adult moths don’t eat food, but their larvae do, and they leave behind silk webbing that sticks to grains, cereal, and flour. They often show up in packaged food from the store, and once they get into your pantry, they can be tough to get rid of.

    • Appearance: Small, reddish-brown moths with tan wings
    • Where They Hide: Flour, cereal, dried fruits, nuts, pet food
  • Signs of Infestation:
    • Moths flying near your pantry
    • Webbing inside food packages
    • Tiny larvae crawling in dry goods

Weevils (Rice & Grain Weevils)

Weevils are tiny beetles that love grains like rice, pasta, and cornmeal. Unlike some pests that just crawl into food, weevils actually hatch inside it: their larvae grow inside individual grains, making them hard to spot at first. If you’ve ever poured out rice and noticed tiny brown bugs moving around, you’ve probably had a weevil infestation.

    • Appearance: Small, dark brown beetles with long snouts
    • Where They Hide: Rice, pasta, cornmeal, grains
  • Signs of Infestation:
    • Tiny holes in food packaging
    • Live beetles inside rice or cereal
    • Fine dust or powder around infested foods

Cigarette Beetles & Drugstore Beetles

These small beetles go after more than just grains. They infest spices, pet food, and even dried herbs. They’re also strong fliers, so if you see tiny beetles buzzing around your pantry, they might be the culprit. They can chew through packaging, which means once they’re in, they can spread to multiple food items. If your flour or spices smell off, it might be time to check for these pests.

    • Appearance: Light brown, oval-shaped beetles
    • Where They Hide: Flour, spices, pet food, dried herbs
  • Signs of Infestation:
    • Beetles crawling inside cabinets
    • Spices and dry goods smelling stale or musty
    • Larvae found in flour, pet food, or powdered milk

How Pantry Pests Get Into Your Home

Many people assume pantry pests come from their home, but most infestations start at the grocery store or warehouse. These pests lay eggs inside packaged food before you even buy it.

Here’s how they sneak in:

  • Packaged Food: Bugs lay eggs inside grains, flour, or pasta before you bring it home.
  • Pet Food & Birdseed: Often stored in warehouses, pet food is a common source of pantry pests.
  • Bulk Food Bins: Open bins of rice, nuts, and grains can already be infested when you purchase them.

Once inside your pantry, they spread quickly, especially if dry goods are stored in paper or cardboard packaging.

Signs You Have Pantry Pests

If you suspect an infestation, check for these warning signs:

  • Small moths or beetles near your pantry or kitchen
  • Tiny larvae or bugs in flour, rice, or pasta
  • Webbing, clumps, or powdery residue inside packaging
  • Unusual odors from dry goods (a musty or stale smell)

Pro Tip: Pour a small amount of flour or rice onto a white plate and wait a few minutes. If tiny bugs start moving, you have pantry pests.

Best Ways to Prevent Pantry Pest Infestations

Prevention is always easier than dealing with a full-blown infestation. Pantry pests can spread quickly, but with a few simple habits, you can keep them out of your home for good. Follow these best practices to protect your dry goods and maintain a pest-free pantry: 

Store Food Properly

Pantry pests can chew through paper and cardboard packaging, so relying on the original packaging for long-term storage isn’t enough. Once pests get inside, they can spread quickly, contaminating other dry goods in your pantry.

containers of dried pasta.

How to store food correctly:

  • Store sugar, spices, and nuts in airtight containers, as some pests are attracted to these items.
  • Transfer dry goods like flour, rice, pasta, cereal, and pet food into airtight plastic, glass, or metal containers with secure lids.
  • Use storage containers with tight-fitting lids rather than loosely covered bins or bags.
  • Keep bulk food in sealed storage bins rather than leaving it in the original packaging.

Common mistakes to avoid:

  • Storing dry goods in their original paper or cardboard packaging.
  • Keeping large bags of pet food or birdseed open in the pantry or garage.
  • Letting food sit for extended periods without checking for signs of pests.

Inspect and Rotate Your Groceries

Most pantry pest infestations start before the food even reaches your home. Eggs or larvae may already be inside food products when you buy them, so taking a few extra steps when purchasing and storing groceries can prevent a problem before it starts.

How to prevent bringing pantry pests home:

  • Buy smaller quantities of dry goods if possible. The longer food sits, the more likely pests will find their way inside.
  • Inspect food packaging before purchasing. Look for tiny holes, webbing, or an unusual amount of fine dust inside the bag.
  • Avoid bulk bins at grocery stores unless you’re sure the store maintains proper cleanliness. Open bins can harbor pests, which may then transfer into your food.
  • Rotate food regularly so that older items are used first. Keeping older dry goods in the back of the pantry can lead to forgotten, infested food.
A box of oil, dried pantry food, sardines, and canned goods.

Common mistakes to avoid:

  • Buying food with torn or damaged packaging. Even small holes can indicate an existing pest problem.
  • Storing new groceries behind older ones, making it easier to forget about them.
  • Letting dry goods sit in the pantry for months without checking for signs of pests.

Keep Your Pantry Clean

Even if your food is properly stored, crumbs, spills, and forgotten dry goods can still attract pantry pests. Cleaning your kitchen and pantry regularly is extremely important when it comes to eliminating food sources that may encourage an infestation.

A spray bottle and a rag

How to keep your pantry clean:

  • Keep garbage bins sealed to avoid attracting pests.
  • Wipe pantry shelves regularly with warm, soapy water to remove any food residue.
  • Vacuum corners and cracks in shelving to eliminate any eggs, larvae, or pests hiding in small spaces.
  • Sweep and mop kitchen floors weekly to remove crumbs that may attract pests.
  • Inspect spice racks, as pantry pests often target dried herbs and spices.

Common mistakes to avoid:

  • Ignoring hard-to-reach corners and cracks where pests can hide.
  • Leaving crumbs or spills unattended, especially in the pantry.
  • Keeping opened food packages loosely closed rather than in airtight containers.

Freeze Dry Goods Before Storage

Freezing dry goods for 48 hours can kill any hidden pantry pest eggs or larvae before they have a chance to hatch. This simple step can prevent an infestation before it begins.

How freezing helps prevent pantry pests:

  • Kills eggs and larvae that may already be inside flour, rice, or grains.
  • Prevents pests from hatching and multiplying inside your pantry.
  • Extends the shelf life of dry goods like flour, rice, cornmeal, and oats.

Best practices for freezing dry goods:

  • For those who prefer not to freeze food, baking dry goods at 140°F for 15 minutes can also kill any hidden pests.
  • Place newly purchased dry goods in the freezer for 48 hours before transferring them to storage containers.
  • If storing grains or flour for long periods, keep them in the freezer or refrigerator to prevent infestations.
Freeze dried strawberries and raspberries.

Common mistakes to avoid:

  • Assuming all packaged food is pest-free. Many infestations start inside sealed products.
  • Keeping flour or grains in pantry storage for months without checking for signs of pests.

Additional Prevention Tips

  • Store pet food in a sealed container rather than leaving it in the original bag.
  • Seal cracks and gaps in pantry shelving or walls, as even small crevices can harbor pests.
  • Avoid overbuying dry goods, especially if you won’t use them within a few months. The longer food sits, the higher the risk of infestation.
  • Check non-food items like dried flowers, potpourri, and wreaths, as these can also attract certain types of pantry pests.

What to Do If You Find Pantry Pests

Even with the best prevention efforts, pantry pests can still make their way into your home. If you suspect an infestation, act quickly to contain the problem before it spreads.

The first step in eliminating pantry pests is removing all infested food items. Throwing out a single bag of flour may not be enough as pantry pests can spread across multiple food sources.

  • Inspect all dry goods in your pantry, even unopened items, for signs of infestation.
  • Throw away any contaminated food in sealed trash bags to prevent pests from spreading.
  • Take out the trash immediately. Keeping infested food inside your home increases the risk of pests escaping and reinfesting other areas.

Once the contaminated food is removed, focus on cleaning your pantry thoroughly to eliminate any eggs, larvae, or hiding pests.

  • Empty your shelves completely instead of just cleaning around remaining food.
  • Wipe down all surfaces with warm, soapy water or a mixture of vinegar and water to remove any residue.
  • Vacuum cracks and crevices, especially in pantry corners, along baseboards, and inside shelving joints.
  • Discard or wash storage bins that held infested food before placing new items inside.

Even after a deep cleaning, pantry pests can return if any eggs or larvae remain. Keep an eye out for signs of reinfestation in the weeks following cleanup.

  • Check food packages regularly for signs of pests, webbing, or holes.
  • Use pantry-safe traps to catch any lingering insects before they spread.
  • Reinspect stored food every few weeks, especially before using flour, rice, or grains that have been sitting for a while.

When to Call a Professional for Pantry Pest Control

Some infestations are too widespread or persistent to handle alone. If you’ve followed all the proper steps and pantry pests keep returning, it may be time to call a pest control professional.

Signs you need professional help:

  • You continue finding pantry pests despite cleaning and proper storage.
  • Pests have spread beyond the pantry into other areas of your home.
  • Severe contamination has resulted in large amounts of wasted food.
  • A professional pest control service can identify the source of the infestation, treat affected areas, and help prevent future outbreaks.

Final Tips for Keeping Pantry Pests Away

  • Check new groceries for signs of pests before storing them. 
  • Keep dry goods in airtight containers rather than their original packaging. 
  • Regularly clean pantry shelves to remove crumbs, spills, and hidden pests. 
  • Rotate food supplies to prevent old items from becoming infested. 
  • Act quickly at the first sign of pantry pests to prevent them from spreading.

Need Help with Pantry Pests? Contact A-1 Pest Control Today!

Worried about pests in your home? Contact A-1 Pest Control for expert pest prevention and treatment options! We offer professional pest management services in Lenoir, Mooresville, Hickory, Blowing Rock, West Jefferson, and Hendersonville. Call today at 828-929-0647 or fill out the form below to schedule a FREE inspection to protect your home from pests.

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