Pests in storage areas: A common problem By Katz

A lot of pests fall under the category of stored pests. Some ones to watch out for in this area include: • Indian meal moth; • Drugstore beetle • Flour beetle • Spider beetle • Grain weevil At one time or another almost every home has stored product pests. They can come from purchased products or get into products stored for long periods of time. Pantry pests are common in food preparation areas, kitchens or food storage areas. Fabric pests are found where there is clothing, natural fiber, leather, or fur in the area. Controlling pantry pests The first step in controlling pantry pests is to find and eliminate infested items. Often all that is needed to solve the problem is to remove an infested package of flour, macaroni, or cake mix. Finding the source is not always easy. Infested packages are usually the oldest, in the pantry. Unopened containers may also be infested; some pests can easily penetrate plastic, waxed paper, and cardboard containers. Where you have found evidence of the insects, clear out the cabinets. Discard old packages of infected foods. Use a vacuum to clean out the cabinets, get the cracks and crevices where the insects hide, including the underneath side. Chemical control A spray may be needed to control difficult infestations. Sprays can reach inaccessible areas that cannot be easily cleaned. Apply to crevices and voids around cupboards, drawers, and pantries. Before spraying, remove all food products, utensils, and containers from the treatment area. Allow the spray to dry before placing clean shelf paper on the shelves and returning food, utensils, or containers to the pantry. As with any chemical treatment your best is to call a trained pest control professional. These technicians are trained to deal with anything from a small incident to a full infestation. Arthur Katz is CEO of Knockout Pest Control, Uniondale, N.Y.