Few things are more annoying than discovering pests in your pantry. While your Plano pest control team at All-Safe Pest & Termite can help you deal with active infestations, you still need to know what to look for to make the call before the problem gets too severe.
In this blog, we'll discuss what you need to know to deal with and prevent the pantry pest infestation that no homeowner wants.
Common Types Of Pantry Pests
When you think of pantry pests, you probably think of mice or roaches. And while those critters will certainly impact your pantry and ruin your food, they're not the only ones you need to worry about. The most common type of pantry pest in Plano is the pantry pest beetle.
Several species of beetles may take up residence in your pantry near your food products, but most will grow to no more than 1/8 of an inch in length and be typically brown or black.
The Dangers Of Pantry Pest Infestations
Though pantry beetles aren't known to carry diseases, they can still hurt your home and your health. Here are a few ways that pantry pest larvae and adult beetles pose a risk to your home:
- They damage food: Pantry beetles love to get into the food you keep in your pantry and cupboards. Once they do, they can contaminate that food with their waste as well as their bodies if they die inside your food packages.
- They make food smell bad: Some species of pantry pest beetles produce secretions that leave your food smelling bad and can even make it taste off or spoiled.
- They can cause an upset stomach: Some species of pantry pest beetles shed small hairs as they move through your food. If you end up eating those hairs, you may experience an upset stomach or irritation in your mouth and throat.
- They introduce microbes: Pantry beetles are not clean insects. They can carry microbes that, when introduced to your food, can produce mycotoxins. These mycotoxins are carcinogenic and may increase your cancer risk if exposed to high enough amounts.
The best way to address the common dangers of these types of infestations is to work with an experienced pantry pest control specialist.
An Effective Way To Get Rid Of Pantry Pests
The best way to get rid of pantry pests is to work with an experienced pest control specialist. They'll have the training and pantry pest control products needed to eliminate an infestation, whether minor or severe.
At All-Safe Pest & Termite, our experts will thoroughly assess your home to identify the full extent of the infestation. Then, we'll treat your home to eradicate active pests and prevent any new ones from returning.
How To Prevent Pantry Pests From Coming Back
Though professional home pest control in Plano is the best way to keep these pests from coming back, there are a few things you can do to keep your home safe. Here are some proven tips to keep in mind:
- Inspect your food packages regularly and store your food in airtight containers whenever possible.
- Throw out any infested food to prevent new larvae from hatching and to keep adult bugs from contaminating additional food products.
- Use a pantry pest trap to catch bugs before they infest your food.
- Schedule regular treatments with your pest control specialist.
These prevention tips will help you keep pantry pests from coming back, but you'll still want to stay on top of routine pest control appointments to prevent future infestations. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and let our team help you keep your home safe.