Pantry Pests

Professional Pantry Pest Control San Jose CA

When San Jose residents detect pests in their homes and businesses, they oftentimes do not know where to turn. This is unfortunate for everyone involved. Simply said, a few pests will transition into a full-blown infestation in a few weeks or months. Regardless of the situation, only one insect is needed to cause an infestation. The odds of this happen are much higher if the insect is a female. Even better, a female preparing for birth.

Pantry pest infestation is one of the most difficult tasks property owners face. Whether it is a residential, commercial, or industrial property, a pest infestation will have a devasting impact. Fortunately, there are things you can do to stop the insects in their tracks. Of course, you will need to identify the insect species before an infestation has time to develop. You are only a phone call away from gaining access to one of the best pest control services in California.

What Is A Pantry Pest?

Before you can eradicate pantry pests, you must be able to identify them. A pantry pest is any insect species that invade properties to access food products stored in pantries. Non-refrigerated food, such as dried cereal, crackers, cookies, powdered milk, flour, cornmeal, potato chips, candies, and spices fall under the pantry food classification. 

There is one main reason why pantry pests infiltrate homes in search of food. This one reason is to avoid starvation. As winter approaches, summer heats soar past 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and natural disasters kick in food sources for insects begin to dwindle down. To avoid starvation, the impacted insect species will initiate searches for new food sources. If your home is accessible, with ample pantry food storage, it will most likely be infiltrated sooner than later.

What Are The Most Common Pantry Pest Species In San Jose?

The Indian meal moth, cigarette “tobacco” beetle, and saw-toothed grain beetle are the most common pantry pests found in San Jose. Each of these species of pantry pest has unique physical characteristics and behavior, allowing them to be identified quickly and easily. Know these unique features will definitely play in your favor if ever you encounter one of the common pantry pest species.

Indian Meal Moth 

The Indian meal moth “Plodia interpunctella” is a small pantry pest species with extended wings. While there is nothing unusual about pantry pest wings, the Indian meal moth’s wings are unique. The wings are layered in colors, with a luster of copper. The layers are reddish/orange or reddish/black, tan, and a second layer of reddish/orange or reddish/black.

The pantry pest is a member of the “Pyralidae” family, growing up to ¾ of an inch in length. The Indian meal moth diet consists of food stored in pantries and kitchen cabinets.

Saw-Toothed Grain Beetle 

The saw-toothed grain beetle “Oryzaephilus surinamensis” has a segmented body. The segments are held together by tiny joints, with the lower segment being the larger of the three. The body is reddish/brown, dark brown, or black in coloration. The insect has three sets of legs and two antennas. The adult and larvae ingest pantry food.

The adult grows up to one-tenth of an inch in length. The saw-tooth projections protrude from the insect’s thorax. The projections have 6 teeth that replicate a handsaw blade.

The saw-toothed grain beetle diet consists of raw noodles, nuts, dried fruit, and other pantry food products.

Cigarette “Tobacco” Beetle 

The cigarette beetle “Lasioderma serricorne”, also known as tobacco beetle, has a rounded body that is covered by a thin shell-like material. The body and wings are dark brown to a reddish/brown to a yellowish/brown in coloration. The adult grows up to one-tenth of an inch long.

The cigarette beetle diet consists of tobacco products, grains, birdseed, dried dog food, and book bindings. The adult grows up to one-eighth of an inch in length.

Why Is My San Jose Property Infested With Pantry Pests?

Pantry pests have one or two goals in mind when it comes to infiltrating commercial and residential properties. These goals are directed toward a pantry food source and shelter. Some beetle species enter a hibernation-like state, known as “overwintering”. Throughout the overwintering state, which begins in late fall or early winter. It is important to note, overwintering beetles seek shelter indoors at every opportunity. These beetle species are not looking for food, but warm, discrete, and safe hiding places.

Pantry pests enter human habitats several ways, with the most common one being exterior-to-interior entry points. These openings can be found in damaged siding, the missing mortar between bricks, vulnerable crawlspace vents, and gaps between entrance door thresholds and flooring.

Do Beetles Carry Disease And Parasites?

More evidence is needed to determine the true dangers of pantry pests. However, there is a major risk of food contamination related to this group of insects. Food and water contamination may be associated with fecal material and urine, which is deposited into the pantry food supply.

It is crucial to not ingest food contaminated by pantry pests. Since the risks are still unknown, we highly advise properly dispose of the contaminated food.

What Is The Most Effective Pantry Pest Control Method?

We believe a combinational pest control treatment is more effective than an over-the-counter pesticide. We generally combine industrial-strength pesticides with glue traps and visual inspections. Our pest control experts will help you determine the best route to take when dealing with pantry pest infiltration and infestation.

Do Pantry Pest Treatments Contain Environmentally Unfriendly Chemicals?

Conventional pesticides and insecticides do contain ingredients that may pose some environmental risks. However, these risks are generally associated with misuse. Our exterminators are fully trained to administer, store, and transport chemical-based pest control products.

We heed the manufacturer’s recommendations as well as follow the pesticide guidelines developed by the US Environmental Protection Agency “EPA”. We believe doing this allows up to fully eradicate pantry pest infestation, with minimal to no environmental risks.

How Long Does It Take To Process A Pantry Pest Home Inspection?

Our service request processing takes between 24 and 48 hours. When the demand for our pest control services is maxed out, processing may take an additional 24 or 48 hours. We strive to deliver quick responses to ensure the quickest extermination. To learn more, we highly recommend reaching out to our San Jose customer support. We are on standby to take your service request Monday through Friday and some weekends.

What Is The Best Pantry Pest Prevention Solution?

Pantry pests are a group of insects that invade homes and businesses to access non-refrigerated food products. As mentioned previously, pantry pests will contaminate your non-perishable food supply, posing some foodborne illness risks. There are things you can do to assist our extermination team safe proof your home from pantry pests. In the meantime, you can take matters into your own hands until the lead exterminator arrives at your home.

• Develop a pantry food storage system, utilizing glass, stainless-steel, or ceramic containers
• Routinely remove all household waste from your home to an outdoor trash bin
• Seal all entry points with silicone, caulk, or another waterproof sealant
• Educate your family and neighbors about pantry pests

Do not hesitate to take advantage of our pantry pest consultation with an inspection. These services are available to all San Jose residents free of charge.

If you have any other pest control issues please check out other services.