Pantry pests – also known as stored product pests, or stored product insects (SPIs) – are small, but the damage they can cause is anything but. Whether they're working through your pantry at home or contaminating stock in a commercial facility, these beetles, weevils, and moths can ruin food, trigger health concerns, and in business settings, put you at risk of failing regulatory inspections.
Stored pantry pests are persistent. They hide inside packaging, burrow into dry goods, and can survive in tiny cracks and crevices in storage areas. Effective treatment means going beyond what's visible.
We use an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach that focuses on exclusion, monitoring, and targeted treatments. The focus is always on implementing prevention measures to reduce the risks of a product infestation.
Our technicians carry out a thorough inspection of your facility, focusing on:
We create an integrated pest management plan. Depending on the situation, this may include:
Treating the infestation is only part of the job. After treatment, we work with you on:
Call now to book your free inspection.
Stored product pests contaminate food, making it unsafe to eat, and can be difficult to get rid of once they've established themselves.
For businesses, the stakes are high. The USDA notes that significant food loss occurs between the farm gate and retail due to damage caused by insects, among other factors, and the FDA holds food businesses to strict standards around pest contamination.
A stored product pest infestation in a food facility can lead to failed audits, product recalls, and serious reputational damage.
Call our local experts now {telNumber} ({openingHoursSummary}) or view more details about your nearest branch
The cost of stored product pest control depends on several factors: the size of your property or facility, the extent of the infestation, and the type of treatment needed. A minor pantry moth issue in a home will typically cost less to treat than a widespread infestation across a commercial storage facility.
The best way to get an accurate picture is to start with a free inspection. One of our technicians will assess your property, identify the pest, and provide a clear, no-obligation quote. You can find out more about what influences pest control costs on our pricing page.
For ongoing protection, PestFree365 spreads the cost of year-round coverage into a manageable plan, with no surprise charges if pests come back between visits.³
From cigarette beetles and grain weevils to the Indian meal moth and confused flour beetle, learn more about some of the most common stored product insects.
Read our customer reviews to find out why homeowners and businesses across the Western U.S. trust us to protect their properties.
Stored product pests vary by species, but most are small insects ranging from about one-eighth to five-eighths of an inch long. Common types include small moths with distinctive wing markings, tiny reddish-brown or dark beetles, and small weevils with elongated snouts. You may also spot larvae, which are small, pale, worm-like grubs found inside food packaging or in the corners of cupboards.
Stored product pests are drawn to dry food products like flour, cereals, grains, rice, pasta, dried fruit, spices, and pet food. They're attracted by the smell of food and can detect it through packaging. Poorly sealed containers, damaged packaging, and food debris left on shelving all make your storage areas more appealing to them.
Store dry goods in airtight, sealed containers rather than leaving them in original packaging. Check new products before putting them away, rotate your stock regularly using a FIFO process, and keep shelving clean and free of food debris. Inspect any bulk purchases or deliveries carefully, as infested products are one of the most common ways these pests enter a home or business.
Stored product pests don't bite or sting, but they can contaminate food with droppings, shed skins, and eggs, making it unfit to eat. Consuming contaminated food can cause digestive discomfort. Some people may also experience allergic reactions to certain species.
If you've found pests in more than one product, spotted larvae or webbing inside packaging, or noticed moths flying around your kitchen regularly, it's time to call in professional help.
Commercial food processing and handling operations need ongoing stored product pest control as part of their quality assurance and food safety program.
Yes. Stored product pests feed on, lay eggs in, and leave droppings inside dry food products. Any food that shows signs of infestation, including webbing, larvae, frass, or live insects, should be discarded. It's not safe to consume food contaminated by stored product pests.
Key signs include small moths near food storage areas, tiny beetles or weevils inside dry goods, webbing or clumping inside packaging, fine powder or frass on shelving, and a musty smell coming from stored food. You may also find larvae or pupae in the corners of cupboards or inside food containers.
Costs vary depending on the size of the infestation and the type of property. Booking a free inspection with us is the best starting point.
* Treatments and Covered Pests defined in your Plan. Limitations apply. See Plan for details. Advertised guarantee for one time treatment is limited to 30 days following service.
¹ Covered Pests defined in your Plan. Autopay is required. Voles and fire ants are only covered if they are in the home, we will not treat the lawn. Single family, free-standing, owner-occupied homes only. Other limitations apply. See Plan for details.
² Participating locations only. Requires purchase of a new PestFree365 or PestFree365+ agreement. Autopay required. Single-family, free-standing, owner-occupied homes only. Offer may not be combined with other offers or discounts. Other limitations and terms apply. See Plan for details.
Call our local experts now {telNumber} ({openingHoursSummary}) or view more details about your nearest branch