Stored Product Pests

Stored Product Pests

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Stored Product Pests include several beetles, moths and a mite that can infest whole grains or processed foods. Usually, the first sign of a stored product pest issue is the appearance of small beetles crawling over counter tops, caterpillars crawling up walls or small moths flying across the room.

Some Stored Product Pests Feed Inside Whole Kernels

• Common pests include the granary weevil, rice weevil and the Angoumois grain moth
• These develop in whole kernels or caked grain, preferring barley, rye, corn, oats, rice and oth­ers

Some Stored Product Pests Feed on Processed Grains and Spices

• Common pests include red and confused flour beetle, sawtoothed grain beetle, drugstore and cigarette beetle and Indian meal moth
• These feed on processed grains, dried fruits, dry dog food, dried meats, candy bars, drugs, tobacco and a variety of other products

Stored Product Pest Reproduction

• Stored product pests are prolific breeders, producing 50 to 500 offspring rapidly
• Most reproduction happens in the field, where it’s grown, or in warehouses, grocery stores, processing plants and even in trucks transporting product

Usually small, ranging from  1/8th of an inch to 3/4th of an inch

They attack product that has been sitting on shelves for more than six  months and can spread quickly causing an infestation

Even decorative items and bird seed have been ravaged by store product pests, which must be found and disposed of

 

Control Measures

1. Everything begins with a comprehensive and professional inspection. It is vital to be sure of the species of pest that is present in the pantry. This inspection will include the interior and exterior, and an honest appraisal of the homeowners view of the issue.
2. From the findings of the inspection a written recommendation is provided to establish clear ex­pectations for everyone involved and a successful management plan.
3. A meeting between the customer and the technical advisor should take place to  review the findings and recommendations in step two and agreement reached for a control and maintenance program.
4. Once a control program is agreed upon, the implementation of control measures follow the four levels of control;
   • Access denial and exclusion to refuse stored product pest entry
   • Habitat and harborage modification, making the location undesirable
   • Physical and mechanical modifications to keep them out
   • Removal of infested materials and a judicious application of proper materials to cracks, crevices and voids to remove the population and control them going forward
5. Following treatment, all work will be documented and a free follow-up service planned

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