INTRODUCTION TO PANTRY PESTS
In homes, when pantry pests are found by the homeowner, a complaint is usually made to the retailer and contaminated food is thrown out. However, this category of pests destroys or damages over US$ 1 billion of gain per annum. Beetles are the largest and most important group of pantry pests, with moths and mites being the second and third most common.
Red Flour Beetle
Grain Moth
Grain Mites
BIOLOGY
Because stored product pests belong to many diverse groups, few generalizations are possible. Obviously, the one thing they share is the fact that they infest stored products. Some can infest these food materials while they are still in the field, in addition to infesting them while in storage.
The more common stored product pests are often separated into 4 groups based on their feeding habits. A knowledge of these feeding habits, along with some familiarity with the biology and behavior of stored product pests, will greatly aid in the identification and the control of the pest at hand. These groups are:
Internal feeders. The larva of these feeds entirely within the grain kernel and usually requires a whole kernel for development. Examples include the granary and rice weevils, the Angoumois grain moth, etc.
External feeders. The larva of these feeds from the outside of the kernel inward. Examples include the Indianmeal moth, cigarette beetle, drugstore beetle, khapra beetle, etc.
Scavengers. These feed on grain only after the seed coat has been broken, either mechanically or by some other insect. Examples include the confused and red flour beetles, the sawtoothed grain beetle, the Mediterranean flour moth, etc.
Secondary pests. These feed on food materials which are in poor condition, usually damp and/or have some mold growth present. Examples include the yellow mealworm, the dark mealworm, etc.
CLEMENTS APPROACH TO CONTROL
Prevention: This consists of inspecting all incoming items for stored product pests, making sure that the building is in good physical condition to reduce entry, and that there is adequate ventilation.
Sanitation: Such practices consist of the timely removal of all spilled commodity, the immediate removal and/or treatment of any infested commodity, and proper grounds maintenance to reduce sources of pests and attractiveness to pests.
Proper Storage: This usually consists of having all items up on pallets, that the pallets be at least 18" away from the wall to allow for proper inspection and treatment, that all torn bags are repaired or replaced, etc.
Stock Rotation: The rotation of food stock with non-food stock and the rotation out of the oldest stock first of a given commodity both help to prevent infestation coming from infested old commodity or unremoved debris.
Ventilation: This is important to reduce or keep the food moisture content low; for example mites require at least a 12% food moisture content.
Recurring Pesticide Applications: Finally, some kind of control is often required. Control is based on the correct identification of any pests found during the above listed activities or during periodic inspections. Once infested supplies are removed, we recommend treating high risk areas (pantries, closets, storage areas) with liquid pesticides on a recurring, seasonal basis.
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