If you've ever seen a small, brown beetle in your Columbus kitchen, there's a good chance it was a flour beetle. These pesky little bugs can be very difficult to get rid of and can cause a lot of damage to your food supply. 1st Response Pest Management will discuss everything you need to know about flour beetles in Columbus. We'll talk about the different types of flour beetles, what foods they like to eat, natural ways to prevent them, and how to keep them away for good with expert pest control in Columbus.
Three Types Of Flour Beetles
Three types of flour beetles are commonly found in Columbus kitchens: the red flour beetle, the confused flour beetle, and the destructive flour beetle. All three of these beetles are attracted to high-carbohydrate foods like flour, cereal, rice, pasta, and crackers. They will also eat dried fruit, chocolate, nuts, and spices.
The red flour beetle is the most common type of flour beetle found in Columbus kitchens. These beetles are small, red, and have a flattened body. They can fly and lay up to 400 eggs in their lifetime. The confused flour beetle is similar in appearance to the red flour beetle but is slightly larger and cannot fly. The destructive flour beetle is the largest of the three types and is dark brown in color.
These pests can be a nuisance because they breed quickly and can cause damage to your food supply. If you think you have a flour beetle infestation, it's important to contact a professional pest control company like 1st Response Pest Management right away. Our experienced exterminators will be able to identify the type of beetle and create a customized treatment plan to keep them away.
Flour Beetles Can Be Attracted To Flour, Grains, And Other Stored Foods
Flour beetles are attracted to high-carbohydrate foods like flour, grains, rice, pasta, cereal, and crackers. This is because these foods provide the beetles with the energy they need to reproduce. They will also eat dried fruit, chocolate, nuts, and spices.
If you have flour or any other food that is attractive to flour beetles, it's important to store it in a sealed container, which will prevent the beetles from getting into the food and laying eggs. You should also regularly check your food for signs of infestation and throw away any food that is infested.
You can also prevent flour beetles from getting into your food by regularly cleaning your kitchen cabinets and pantry. Vacuum any cracks and crevices where these bugs might be hiding. If you think you may have a flour beetle infestation, contact a professional pest control company like 1st Response Pest Management right away. We'll be able to determine the source of these pests and eliminate them for good.
Six Natural Ways To Prevent Pantry Beetles
There are a few natural ways you can prevent flour beetles from getting into your kitchen:
- Keep your kitchen clean and free of food debris. Vacuum regularly and wipe down counters and cabinets.
- Store food in sealed containers made of glass, metal, or plastic; these materials are not as attractive to pantry beetles as paper or cardboard.
- Inspect all food before you bring it into your home. Check for signs of infestation and discard any infested food.
- Discard any food that shows signs of infestation like small beetles, larvae, or webbing.
- Freeze any dry foods like flour, grains, and spices for at least 48 hours to kill any eggs or bugs.
- Use dried bay leaves or cloves to repel beetles. Place them in pantry shelves or inside containers of stored food.
By implementing these methods, you should be able to keep those pesky flour beetles away from your kitchen. However, if you're concerned about a potential infestation, contact a professional pest control company like 1st Response Pest Management for help eradicating beetles. We can help you get rid of flour beetles and prevent them from coming back.
Residential Pest Control Made Easy For Columbus Residents
At 1st Response Pest Management, we understand how difficult it can be to deal with a flour beetle infestation. We've been solving beetle problems and providing top-quality home pest control services throughout greater Columbus and Central Ohio since 2006. We use the highest quality methods and products to deliver effective results that are safe for people and pets while also being eco-friendly. And our services are affordable and backed by a satisfaction guarantee.
If you're looking for help with flour beetles on your Columbus property, contact us today. We'll be happy to answer any of your questions and schedule a free consultation.