Pantry Pests
Masterful Pest management

Maryland Pantry Pests and Masterful Pest Management

When it comes to keeping your family safe, having a masterful pest management strategy in place is essential. In Maryland, pantry pests such as weevils, moths and beetles can wreak havoc on stored food items. These pests can enter your home through purchased or stored foods, or they may come from the outside environment. Regular inspections by a professional exterminator are also recommended to make sure that any existing infestation is quickly identified and treated before it causes further damage.

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Cigarette Beetles

A cigarette beetle is a small, brown-colored insect that is roughly 1/8th of an inch in length. They are primarily found in stored food products, particularly grains and tobacco, hence the name "cigarette beetle".


These beetles feed on the dry starchy parts of plants, such as paper and cardboard. If a home has a lot of grains or tobacco stored within it, the beetle may cause considerable damage to these products. In addition to consuming the food, they can also leave behind frass (insect droppings) which can further contaminate the products.


Homeowners should be vigilant in keeping an eye out for these pests and take steps to eliminate them if they find any evidence of an infestation.

Confused Flour Beetles

The confused flour beetle, also known as the red flour beetle, is a pest that infests stored grains and can cause serious damage to homeowners and their families.


The larvae feed on broken grain kernels, flour, cereals, and other dried goods, which means products stored in kitchens or pantries are at risk. Not only does this ruin the food products in a home but the pests can spread disease-causing bacteria and contaminate food for human consumption.


These beetles can reproduce quickly and lay hundreds of eggs in crevices or cracks where food is stored so it is important to take preventive measures such as regularly cleaning and organizing shelves as well as sealing any cracks or crevices where they may hide.

Drugstore Beetles

The Drugstore Beetle is a small, brown beetle that can cause significant damage to stored food products in homes. This beetle feeds on many food items including flour, cereal, spices, chocolate and even pet food. If left unchecked, the larvae of this beetle can infest an entire pantry or kitchen and contaminate whatever food they come into contact with.


The presence of these pests can be a major inconvenience for homeowners and their families as it can result in wasted food and disruption to daily routines. It is important that homeowners take steps to prevent infestations from occurring by properly storing foods in airtight containers and regularly checking for signs of activity.

Grain Weevils

Grain Weevils, also known as wheat weevils, are a common pest found in stored grains and cereals. These small insects feed on grain kernels, leaving behind holes and damaged kernels that render the food unfit for consumption.


They reproduce quickly, making them a serious problem for homeowners and their families who rely on grain-based foods such as rice, flour, oats, and other breakfast cereals.


Grain Weevils can contaminate entire boxes of food if they are not dealt with quickly. Homeowners should be aware of the signs of infestation and take steps to get rid of these pests before they become a major problem.

Indian Meal Moths

Indian Meal Moths are a type of pest that commonly affects homeowners and their families. They have a wingspan of about 0.5 inches and are light brown or greyish in color with a distinctive copper sheen on their wings. These moths often enter homes through tiny cracks or crevices in the walls, windows, and doorways.


Once inside, they feed on cereal grains, flour, dried fruit, pet foods, birdseed, nuts, candies, and chocolate. If left unchecked they can cause extensive damage to stored food products in pantries and cupboards.


Indian Meal Moths can also be an annoyance for homeowners as their larvae can crawl around on kitchen counters and floors making them difficult to get rid of. In addition to this, the moths can spread diseases such as salmonella to humans if consumed accidentally.


It is important for homeowners to take measures to prevent an infestation before it starts by inspecting food packages for signs of infestation and regularly cleaning out pantries and cupboards of any expired food products.

Red Flour Beetles

The Red Flour Beetle is a species of small beetle that can cause serious problems for homeowners and their families. The adult beetles measure between 1-2 millimeters in length, and are typically reddish-brown in color.


They feed on flour, grain products, cereals, spices, and other items stored by humans. They also lay eggs in these food sources, which can lead to an infestation. These infestations can quickly overwhelm stored food supplies in the home, leading to losses of food supply and potential risk of contamination from the insects' feces and shed exoskeletons.


If a family has pets or children with allergies in their home, this could have severe health implications as well. It is important for homeowners to take precautions such as regularly checking for signs of an infestation, disposing of any impacted food items immediately, and storing food properly to help prevent an infestation by Red Flour Beetles.

Saw-toothed Grain beetles 

Saw toothed Grain Beetles are small, reddish-brown beetles that feed on processed grains and flour. They have six saw-like teeth on each side of the thorax, which gives them their name. These pests can cause extensive damage to stored grains and thus be a major problem for homeowners who store grains or other food products in their homes.


The larvae can contaminate grain with their frass (excrement) and weaken its structural integrity, making it unappealing for consumption or baking use. These pests also can spread disease since they often carry mold spores on their bodies which can cause respiratory problems when inhaled by humans.


Infestations of Saw Toothed Grain Beetles can cause great distress as they quickly multiply, leaving homeowners with ruined food supplies, contaminated kitchens, and potentially health issues for family members.

Home Pest Control Solutions to Counter Pantry Pest Damage 

Pantry pests can be a real nuisance, jeopardizing the food pantries and cupboards in our homes. These unwanted visitors often come in the form of small insects that are looking for warmth and sustenance. While pantry pests can be hard to detect at first, it is important to keep an eye out for signs of their presence such as damaged packages and droppings. Luckily, Masterful has treatment plans designed to help you solve your home pest control problems. Their experts use a combination of preventive methods and targeted treatments to ensure that the infestation does not worsen and create further damage down the road. With their help and guidance, you can restore order in your pantry - all while feeling confident that your food remains safe from pests!

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