Published: November 04, 2009 08:50 am      

Pantry Pests

Have you ever opened your pantry door only to be surprised by tiny moths or beetles crawling on your shelves? This is actually a pretty common problem. You are infested with a stored product pest. Common symptoms of this problem include very small beetles crawling on countertops, moths flying across the room or caterpillars crawling on walls or ceilings.

These insects feed on various stored products. Some feed on the inside of whole kernels of wheat or corn, or other whole grains or caked materials. Others feed on processed grains such as flour or meal, broken kernels or a variety of spices. Also susceptible are dried fruits, dried milk, dry dog food, dried meats, candy bars or chocolate, drugs, tobacco, birdseed and a variety of other products.

Seeing the adults are only the sign of an infestation. Killing them will not solve the problem. Go through your pantry and shelves checking for infested items. Usually the infested item is an opened box or bag that has been forgotten about in the back of a shelf. Get rid of infested materials. Thoroughly clean off your shelves, and check underneath all items. Vacuum the shelves and wipe down with soapy warm water. After treatment, put your grain materials in containers that seal tightly. Insecticide is not recommended with this problem. Remember, the greater the number of insects that you see, the longer there has been a problem.



Farm City Banquet

Don’t forget to buy your ticket for the upcoming Farm City Banquet! The banquet will be conducted Monday, Nov. 9 at 6:30 p.m. at the Madison County Extension Center. Lowell Land, of Acres of Land Winery, will be the featured speaker. Tickets can be purchased until Friday, Nov. 6th, at all Farm Bureau offices, both the Richmond and Berea Chambers of Commerce and the Madison County Extension Center for $10 per person. You must purchase your tickets before the event. Tickets cannot be purchased by phone or at the event itself.



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