Pantry Pests

What are pantry pests?

Pantry pests, also referred to as stored product pests, are insects that feed on almost all dry, stored food items including flour, cereals, baking mixes, macaroni and spices as well as other grain-based items such as pet food and birdseed. Pantry pests in our region include, but our not limited to:

• Indian meal moths are considered one of the most common pantry pests. An adult Indian meal moth is approximately 3/8 of an inch long and has a wing span of about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch. Larvae, the developmental stage responsible for contaminating food items, resemble small and creamy colored worms.

• Sawtoothed grain beetles are flat beetles get their name from the six saw like teeth on either side of the thorax behind the head. They do not feed on intact whole grains. Instead, they prefer processed food products such as bran, sugar and chocolate. Nearly 1/4 of an inch long, this pest is long, slender and brownish-red in color.

• Flour beetles are made up of several species including the confused flour beetle and the red flour beetle. Both pests are reddish-brown in color and are approximately 3/16 of an inch long. Although they are unable to attack whole grains, they do feed on kernels that other insects have already damaged as well as flour, cracked grains and peas to name a few.

Why do I have pantry pests?

Most infestations are the result of pantry pests being introduced on items already infested.

Are they dangerous?

Pantry pests do not cause damage other than the contamination of food products rendering them unsafe to eat.

How do I get rid of pantry pests?

Because pantry pests infest a wide range of food products they can be quite difficult to eradicate. A ChemTec pest professional will design a customized pantry pest control program that fits the specific needs of your property, with the goal of eliminating all of these pests.

Can I do it myself?

Pantry pests are not insects that property owners have much luck in controlling on their own. In part because they infest a wide variety of products and secondly, because of their ability to lay eggs soon after emergence and mating.

Is the treatment safe?

The pest professionals at ChemTec Pest Control will first correctly identify what type of pantry pest(s) are present in your home or business and then create a treatment plan that will eliminate your pest problem quickly and in an environmentally responsible manner. Before any treatments begin, our inspectors will consult with you regarding your children, pets and gardens and based on your current situation, they will then customize a treatment plan specifically for you.

How soon can you get here?

ChemTec Pest Control is committed to helping you as soon as possible. In most cases, we can respond the same or very next day.

What is the guarantee?

Our guarantee is simple: if you are not completely satisfied, we will give you your money back. If you have a problem with the pest after our services, just call us and we will come back to re-treat for the pest at no additional charge within the warranty period. We want all of our customers to be completely satisfied with our services and we will always work towards that goal. Please visit Our Guarantee page for more information.

How can I prevent this in the future?

To prevent future infestations of pantry pests, property owners can:

• Inspect products at the grocery store and refrain from purchasing items that already appear damaged or opened

• Store flour and other dried foods in airtight containers

• Keep food storage areas clean so that crumbs and other particles do not attract insects.

Where does ChemTec Pest Control service?

ChemTec Pest Control provides service in Franklin Lakes, Wayne, Secaucus, and throughout Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex and Union Counties in New Jersey. We also provide service to Rockland and Orange Counties in New York.  Contact us today to learn more about the services in your area.