STORED PRODUCT PESTS


Stored Product Pests

Typical damage seen with stored product pests. Notice the small holes found in the box this is where either the larvae of a moth have come out or beetle or weevil exit. When one item is found in this shape look in surrounding items for more infestations.

Removing Infested Material

Many times removing materials infested with insects is the simple solution when faced with a Stored Product Pest problem. In many situations, determining the source of the infestation is key to eliminating the issue at hand. Bird food, pet food, grains, beans, rice, cereal etc. are good items to begin searching if you are noticing moths, small beetles, or larva-like pests in your home, pantry or building. 

You can usually find the source of the infestation by looking for food items with either webbing in the food, or small holes the size of a pencil lead in the packaging. Once you have found all the infested material, management is most quickly achieved by throwing it away and vacuuming the area surround it. Cleaning around the infested area is important because the infestation may reappear if the food source is not completely eliminated.   

The three most common adult moths found for stored grain products:
  • Indian Meal Moth: Management consists of removal of all infested product and a good cleanup of the area.
  • Rice Weevil: Management consists of removal of all infested product and a good cleanup of the area.
  • Sawtoothed Grain Beetle: Management consists of removal of all infested product and a good cleanup of the area.
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