No one likes to find pests in the pantry or kitchen, especially when they are found inside your food! A variety of insect and animal pests can infest and contaminate flours, grains, dry beans, pastas, dried herbs, dried fruit, and even chocolate!
Earlier this month, UC IPM's Urban Program hosted a webinar to discuss these pantry pests and how you can prevent and control them in your home. Watch the recording on the UC IPM YouTube channel or see the fact sheet Pest Notes: Pantry Pests for more information on the moths, beetles, and weevils you may find in the pantry and kitchen. To learn more about other pests that may also become a problem in food storage and preparation areas, such as ants, cockroaches, or rats, see the UC IPM household pests page.
Be sure to check out the rest of the UC IPM webinars planned for 2023 and register for these free, educational events!
- Author: Lauren Fordyce
The new year brings new webinars from the UC IPM Urban and Community Program! Mark your calendars and register now for these informative presentations, held every third Thursday from 12:00-1:00pm PST.
January 19, 2023: Houseplant Problems – Is your houseplant not doing so well? Want to learn how to be a better plant parent? Join us to learn about some common pests and problems of houseplants, and how you can prevent and control them. Presented by Lauren Fordyce, Urban and Community IPM Educator. Register for this webinar
February 16, 2023: Dealing with Pantry Pests – Pests can sometimes get into our pantries and food. Join us to learn how you can prevent and control these pests at home. Presented by Karey Windbiel-Rojas, Associate Director for Urban & Community IPM/Area IPM Advisor. Register for this webinar
March 16, 2023: Preventing Pest Problems at Seeding – Damping off and fungus gnats are common pests encountered when starting seeds indoors. Join us to learn how to prevent seedling problems and grow healthy transplants. Presented by Lauren Fordyce, Urban and Community IPM Educator. Register for this webinar
April 20, 2023: Aphids, Scales, and Mealybugs, Oh my! – Honeydew producers can create a mess when they infest houseplants, garden, or landscape plants. Join us to learn how to identify, prevent, and control these troublesome pests. Presented by Karey Windbiel-Rojas, Associate Director for Urban & Community IPM/Area IPM Advisor. Register for this webinar
Can't make a webinar? Don't worry, all presentations are recorded and posted on the UC IPM YouTube channel! More webinars will be announced in early 2023.
Follow us on social media @ucipmurban for the latest IPM content and news.
Wishing you a safe and happy Thanksgiving from UC IPM!
As many people you know have turned to baking during quarantine, it is likely that ingredients such as flour will continue to be in high demand. While you may be tempted to stock up when you find these ingredients, you should also consider how to properly store your ingredients to prevent pests.
General housekeeping practices can also help prevent or reduce pest problems. Tasks such as wiping down counter tops, cleaning off pantry shelves, and cleaning up spilled food or dirty dishes will remove potential food sources that can be attractive to kitchen and pantry pests. Combine prevention and sanitation IPM approaches to keep the cookies and bread coming and the pests away.
- Author: Elaine Lander
Spring has arrived and with many Californians at home due to local coronavirus directives, now could be an opportune time for some spring cleaning. This annual ritual also has the benefit of preventing and reducing indoor pests.
Cleaning and decluttering removes access to food, water, and shelter for pests such as ants, cockroaches, pantry pests, mice, and spiders. Here are a few tips to help you prevent pests and reduce potential pest infestations.
Kitchens and Pantries
- Wipe down countertops, clean off pantry shelves, and keep dry goods in tightly sealed containers to prevent pantry pests, cockroaches, and ants.
- Clean up spilled food or dirty dishes to remove potential food sources.
- Mop and vacuum floors to remove food and debris.
- Use sticky traps or pheromone traps to monitor and detect cockroaches and pantry pests.
Living Spaces and Closets
- Vacuum floors, especially along baseboards, and beneath furniture to reduce or prevent infestations of clothes moths, fleas, carpet beetles, and other pests.
- Launder bedding, blankets, cushion covers and other washable articles to kill clothes moths and carpet beetles. Clean fabrics are also less attractive to pests.
- Reduce clutter to remove hiding places and make pest infestations easier to spot.
Storage Areas Indoors and Out
- Store pet food in closed airtight containers, rinse empty beverage containers, and secure lids on garbage containers to reduce ants, rats, and opossums.
- Seal cracks and openings in foundations and around pipes, wires, and vents to reduce access to garages, basements, or attics by rats, mice, or raccoons.
- Organize belongings in airtight containers such as plastic bins. Store off the floor and away from walls to reduce clutter in storage areas and deny access to pests like carpet beetles, mice, and spiders.
- Use snap traps to control rats and mice indoors.
For more information on indoor and outdoor pests, visit the UC IPM website.
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