Proven strategies to banish flour beetles from your pantry
The flour beetle is a troublesome household pest that can destroy food supplies in kitchens and pantries. Although less well-known than pantry moths, this beetle is equally problematic. Here's how you can effectively deal with it.
Not only can pantry moths wreak havoc in the kitchen, but it turns out that the flour beetle is also often noticeable. How can you get rid of it? It's simpler than it seems.
Flour beetle - How to recognise it?
These beetles are often found in homes alongside other insects, such as fruit flies and ants. The flour beetle is characterised by a small, dark brown or black body, covered with a shiny shell and delicate folds. It has wings and is resistant to cold.
Female flour beetles can lay up to 500 eggs. The white larvae can reach up to 2.5 cm in length, easily hiding in products like flour or rice. These pests destroy supplies, contaminate them with droppings, and transmit microorganisms. Consequently, consuming products they've been in contact with can even lead to poisoning.
Home remedies for flour beetles
The flour beetle often enters our homes along with groceries. However, it's worth trying a much cheaper solution before resorting to often expensive chemical agents to get rid of them.
Although these beetles are resistant to cold, they do not survive at temperatures below -25 degrees Celsius. That's why it's advisable to freeze products infested by them. Additionally, using sticky traps, which can be easily found in almost any garden store, is recommended.
If you want to avoid a future invasion of flour beetles, storing products like pasta, grains, or flour in tightly sealed containers as soon as you bring them home is a good idea.
