Research Information — Pantry Pests (Cigarette or Drug Store Beetles, Indian Meal Moths, Flour Beeltes, Rice Weevils)
Most pantry pest problems are introduced by products purchased from the grocery store. Unfortunately, the products we purchase sit in warehouses that may be the culprit. But, in reality, we are very fortunate in this country to have the controls we do on our food. As with most infestations introduced into structures, the proper identification of the infesting insect is the key to its long term elimination. Our field service professionals will help identify the pest insect and get to the source of the problem. With the use of traps, monitors and crack and crevice applications of the least amount of the most effective materials, PestRite will provide you with a long term solution to your unwanted guests. This is our eco-$mart (Green) service technology.
Quick Facts
(click on an image to view its quick facts)
Cigarette & Drug Store Beetle
Indian Meal Moth
Flour Beetle
Rice Weevil
Cigarette and Drug Store Beetle
Color: yellowish- to reddish-brown, oval-shaped
Size: a tiny 1/10-inch long
Feeding & Habits: feed on many drugs in the pharmacy, such as laxative teas and even strychnine. They also infest almonds, peanuts, paprika, red pepper, alfalfa meal, cornmeal, flour, milo, wheat, wheat bran, wheat germ, dry dog and cat food, bread, birdseed, beans, coffee beans, fish meal, spaghetti, instant chocolate, powdered milk, books, manuscripts, dried flowers, certain fillers and fabric coverings of furniture, leather, museum specimens, and other foodstuffs.
Additional Information: http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2083.html.
Indian Meal Moth
Color: two-toned, with the bases a pale gray and the ends reddish brown or copper
Size: 3/8 to 1/2-inch long
Feeding & Habits: feed in flour (including whole wheat and cornmeal or Indian meal)., shelled corn and other broken stored grains, dried fruit, seeds, crackers, biscuits, nuts, powdered milk, chocolate, candy, red peppers, and dog food. Caterpillars produce a loose silken mat on top surface of infested food material
Additional Information: http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2089.html, http://insects.tamu.edu/fieldguide/cimg263.html.
Flour Beetle
Color: flat, shiny, reddish-brown to black
Size: 1/8-inch long
Feeding & Habits: found in barley, breakfast cereals, corn, cornmeal, crackers, flour, millet, oats, rice, rye, wheat and wheat bran, nutmeats, dried fruits, legume seeds, beans, milk chocolate, cottonseed, peas, powdered milk, sunflower seeds, vetch seeds, spices, herbarium and museum specimens.
Additional Information: http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2087.html, http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect/05501.html.
top
