Uninvited guests in the flour bag
Pantry pests live inside the food itself, so finding and tossing the source is the step that ends the problem.
Find it.
Check flour, cereal, rice, pasta, nuts, dried fruit, spices and pet food first.
Toss it.
Throw out anything with webbing, larvae, beetles or clumps, sealed in a bag outside.
Seal it.
Store dry goods in airtight glass, metal or hard plastic containers.
Pantry pests are moths and small beetles, including weevils, that breed inside dry foods like flour, cereal, rice and pet food. They usually come home already inside a package from the store, then spread to other open food on the shelf. Tossing infested food and cleaning the pantry is the fix that works.
Pantry pests live inside your food, which makes them different from the ants and roaches our home pest control plans cover. Coverage for pantry pests depends on the situation, so call 913-735-5451 and we’ll tell you what fits your home. Here’s how to find the source and stop them.
What are the most common pantry pests?
Indian meal moths, weevils and small beetles are the most common pantry pests in Kansas City kitchens. Each leaves its own clues.
- Pantry moths are small, with two-toned wings. Their larvae leave silky webbing in food and crawl up walls.
- Weevils have a long snout and often turn up in rice, grains and beans.
- Flour and grain beetles are tiny, reddish brown and move fast through flour, cereal and mixes.
Our post on common beetles in Kansas City covers other beetles you might find indoors.
How do pantry pests get into your food?
Most pantry pests ride in on food you bought. Eggs are tiny and easy to miss, and they hatch once the package sits on your shelf.
From there, larvae and adults can chew through thin paper and cardboard and move into other foods. Birdseed, pet food and decorative dried corn are common starting points too.
How do you get rid of pantry pests?
Clear out the infested food, then clean the shelves thoroughly. Treating shelves without removing the food source won’t stop them.
- Empty the pantry and check every dry food package.
- Throw out anything with webbing, larvae, adults or clumps. Seal it in a bag and take it outside.
- Vacuum shelves, corners and cracks, then empty the vacuum outside.
- Wipe shelves with soapy water and let them dry.
- Freeze questionable unopened items for a few days before storing them.
How do you keep pantry pests from coming back?
Store dry foods in airtight containers and buy smaller amounts you’ll use up quickly. Sealed containers keep a new infestation from spreading.
Rotate older food to the front, and check packages before you buy them. Our post on keeping pests out of your Kansas kitchen has more cleanup habits. To see which pests regular service handles, read what a pest control plan covers.
Small moths in the closet instead of the pantry? See clothes moths. Flies around the fruit bowl? Read about fruit flies and drain flies. Silverfish in the cabinets? See silverfish.
Found moths or beetles in your pantry and want a second set of eyes? Call 913-735-5451, answered 24/7, or schedule online. Most services can be scheduled same day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pantry pests usually come home inside packaged dry food from the store, as eggs too small to see. They hatch on your shelf and spread to other open food.
No, throw out food with visible bugs, larvae or webbing. Eating a few by accident is not usually harmful, but infested food should not be kept.
There’s little evidence that bay leaves keep pantry pests away. Airtight containers and regular shelf checks work much better.
Pantry moths can take a few weeks to clear because eggs and larvae hide in cracks. Remove infested food, clean thoroughly and keep watching for new moths.
Yes, adult pantry moths can fly into nearby rooms, and their larvae often crawl up walls to spin cocoons. Most stay close to the food source, so cleaning out the pantry is still the key step.
