Bug Problem (In food)?!
I've noticed in one of my cabinets, I've been seeing tiny bugs in my food (Food that has *never* been open, as well)
I was wondering what the best way to get rid of these bugs for good, would be -- And a way to prevent future bug invasions!.
Thank you so much in advance :-)Www@FoodAQ@Com
I was wondering what the best way to get rid of these bugs for good, would be -- And a way to prevent future bug invasions!.
Thank you so much in advance :-)Www@FoodAQ@Com
Answers:
Stephani, we've had this problem in the past and found some coping strategies!. Do NOT use insecticides of any kind where you store or prepare food!.
First, empty every cabinet and cupboard which contains food!. Wipe down the surface!. Check each item for signs of contamination!. Enclose each item in plastic, metal, or glass singly (in a bunch of plastic bags and twist ties is fine), so that if anything becomes infested it cannot spread!.
Be aware that many products are packed and shipped containing eggs or larva!. Sealed packages cannot be assumed to be free of pests!. Many types can be killed by freezing the product for 48 hours before allowing it to reach room temperature, then storing it as you do the other items!.
Don't keep a huge stock of nuts, flour, crackers, cereal, etc!. on hand, as these foods are favorites among the cupboard pests!.
Peek inside a package before you dump a product into a cooking or baking "work in progress," which you'd have to discard if one ingredient were infested!.
Prevention involves providing no food sources for them, ensuring that anything they could possibly eat is behind glass, plastic, or metal!. Sweep often and keep counters, cooktops, etc!. clean!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
First, empty every cabinet and cupboard which contains food!. Wipe down the surface!. Check each item for signs of contamination!. Enclose each item in plastic, metal, or glass singly (in a bunch of plastic bags and twist ties is fine), so that if anything becomes infested it cannot spread!.
Be aware that many products are packed and shipped containing eggs or larva!. Sealed packages cannot be assumed to be free of pests!. Many types can be killed by freezing the product for 48 hours before allowing it to reach room temperature, then storing it as you do the other items!.
Don't keep a huge stock of nuts, flour, crackers, cereal, etc!. on hand, as these foods are favorites among the cupboard pests!.
Peek inside a package before you dump a product into a cooking or baking "work in progress," which you'd have to discard if one ingredient were infested!.
Prevention involves providing no food sources for them, ensuring that anything they could possibly eat is behind glass, plastic, or metal!. Sweep often and keep counters, cooktops, etc!. clean!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
I would not recommend using pesticides in your kitchen! Yuck!.
Items most likely to be infested with pantry pests include grains, flour, bran, cereal, breakfast foods, dried fruits, nuts, crackers, cookies, matzos, macaroni, spaghetti, candy, chocolate, cocoa, cheese and dried meats!. also they can be found in dry dog and cat food, bird and vegetable seeds, cornstarch, dried soup mixes and other dehydrated foods, and in spices – especially red pepper, paprika and chili powder!.
http://www!.ladybug!.uconn!.edu/PantryPests!.!.!.
If you'd like to identify the bugs, here's another link-
http://lancaster!.unl!.edu/pest/resources/!.!.!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Items most likely to be infested with pantry pests include grains, flour, bran, cereal, breakfast foods, dried fruits, nuts, crackers, cookies, matzos, macaroni, spaghetti, candy, chocolate, cocoa, cheese and dried meats!. also they can be found in dry dog and cat food, bird and vegetable seeds, cornstarch, dried soup mixes and other dehydrated foods, and in spices – especially red pepper, paprika and chili powder!.
http://www!.ladybug!.uconn!.edu/PantryPests!.!.!.
If you'd like to identify the bugs, here's another link-
http://lancaster!.unl!.edu/pest/resources/!.!.!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
I had these tiny little "weevils" that had infested everything that wasn't in cans or jars!. I had to throw everything in boxes and bags away, clean the whole pantry with bleach water and make sure that everything "dry', like cakes mixes, flour, cornmeal and pasta was in sealed containers!. These little monsters were a pain to get rid of but I finally did!. I wish you luck!. Actually I now keep all my baking ingredients in the freezer to insure they don't get started again!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Borax sticks!. I get them at my 99 cent stores!. Looks like square / rectangular chalk!. Draw a line around where the bug are coming in!. The bugs won't walk over the borax!. If you can find the sticks, buy the borax in powder form and sprinkle a line!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Empty your cabinets!. Clean everything thoroughly then purchase plastic containers to store all foods because these little bugs love pantry's which have cardboard in them you know cereal boxes etc!. then put moth balls down in the corners of your pantry!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Clean all shelves!.!.!. leave them open and empty!.!.!. Bug bomb your house!.
Then use tupperware to store all dry foods!.Www@FoodAQ@Com
Then use tupperware to store all dry foods!.Www@FoodAQ@Com