Months ago I bought a canister of Oatmeal. When I opened it up it was loaded with these small beetle like bugs. I then found them in everything. I went through my pantry and threw out everything they were in. Then I washed down everything, shelves and floor. I didn't see them for months. Well, they are back. I had to throw out a fairly new bag of flour. I am at my wits end. How do I get rid of them? I have a fairly large pantry and I'm not looking forward to clearing it again. Thanks in advance.
Well, I found some info. It's exactly what I did the first time.
"Do not use insecticides for controlling these or other insects in pantry areas. Washing shelves with detergent, bleach, ammonia or disinfectants will not have any effect on these pests since these insects lay their eggs on suitable food. Removing infested items and thoroughly cleaning with a vacuum is usually sufficient. As a precaution against reinfestation, store susceptible foods in tightly sealed glass, metal or heavy plastic containers or in the refrigerator or freezer. "
Yes, these bugs are a nightmare to get rid of. Freezing definitely helps. But you must rid your pantry or whatever of every single crumb (like in your bread box)
Do a google search there is something to put in with food that they don't like. Some kind of herb or something like that.
Yes, freezing works! You can bring these into your house from any grocery store. However, if you are still shopping at the same store...I would suggest that you switch stores for awhile & see what happens. Some stores/warehouses are much worse than others.
"The soil is the source of life, creativity, culture and real independence." David Ben-Gurion
Bummer! I had to clean my pantry because of ants. They were just in two things...a bag of pork skins closed with a clip...yes PORK SKINS. And the crock canister with sugar...where I first found them. Only had about a cup of sugar in the canister so dumped it. Just about everything I have is stored in something other than the original wrapper - or in addition to it - like slipping a paper bag of flour into a ziploc bag. I did give the pantry a good cleaning...my kitchen counters were filled for two days what with working and evening plans...sigh.
I've heard/read that bay leaves with keep the bugs away.
Just remember, that many things like flour have the eggs in them. I know. YUCK! Just think about how wheat and corn are stored prior to grinding...really it does make sense. That's why putting things like that in the freezer helps considerably. When I take the bag of flour out of the freezer, I open it to let it air. Bring it to room temperature before storing in a rubbermaid canister.
Heloise said she used old plastic can lids and filled them with Borax and set them around her cupboards. I did that when we remodeled the kitchen and I was putting things in the cupboards. I also keep everything in Tupperware. Nothing stays in it's original container including cooking chocolate, baking soda, salt. Never had a problem with them again. So I still have the recipes for instant potato flakes, powdered milk, Bisquick, etc. I tear off the recipes and directions and tape it to the outside of the Tupperware.This message has been edited. Last edited by: Lurah,
Posts: 2133 | Location: Midwest | Registered: Nov 29, 2007
Seal flour/sugar/any dry goods in tightly sealed packages as soon as you bring it home. the eggs of these & other nasties are laid in/on the packages & then 'hatch' later on (in our cupboards usually) and by the time we find them, they have already transferred their eggs to other packages in our pantry, only to start the cycle again. I used to have so many problems with them, then I started sealing everything in ziploc bags or containers sealed with rubber rings around edges. Have not had any problems in a very long time. Good luck!!
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Posts: 1622 | Location: Pa | Registered: Jul 05, 2007
DD just had her pantry treated by an exterminator yesterday for this problem. She said she happened to go into the basement while they were there and saw the moths flying around the basement.
Seems the kitty litter in the litter box kept there contained corn! Had she not happened to be in the basement before the exterminators left she would have had another infestation.
And the crock canister with sugar...where I first found them. Only had about a cup of sugar in the canister so dumped it. Just about everything I have is stored in something other than the original wrapper - or in addition to it - like slipping a paper bag of flour into a ziploc bag. I did give the pantry a good cleaning...my kitchen counters were filled for two days what with working and evening plans...sigh.
