Grains stored in glass jars to prevent pantry pest infestations. Photo by Karey Windbiel-Rojas, UC IPM.

There are many kinds of bugs, or pantry pests, that could infest your baking ingredients like flour, oats, and even dried fruit. And they are quite common–even in the cleanest kitchens! These pests can be brought into your home with infested packages of food. Since these insects and their eggs are very small, they are easily overlooked. You might not notice you have a pantry pest infestation until you see them crawling around in your flour, notice holes in your stored grains, or see moths flying around the pantry.

To prevent pantry pest infestations from ruining your holiday baking, follow these tips:

• Freeze dry goods for up to 1 week to kill any bugs or their eggs.
• Inspect food packaging for any rips and don't buy items with broken packaging.
  

  Adult red flour beetle. Photo by Jack Kelly Clark.
• Store foods in sealable containers made of hard plastic or glass, with tight-fitting lids. Pests can chew through soft plastic, like plastic baggies.
• Don't mix new dry goods with old. Empty and clean containers before adding in new food.
• Regularly clean cupboards, pantries, and food storage areas to remove spilt food or crumbs which pests can feed on.
• Traps can be used to detect infestations and catch adults. Several types of pheromone traps are readily available but be sure the one you choose is listed to control the pest you are dealing with.

Read the Pest Notes: Pantry Pests to identify common pantry pests such as moths and beetles and learn more about their management and prevention.

Happy baking!