Q: What happened? I have bugs in my flour and other dried foods!... Pantry Pests

A: Flour, mixes, cereal, spices, and dried fruit are susceptible to infestation with beetles, weevils and moths even in the cleanest kitchen. They enter in products that were contaminated before you brought them home. While beetles such as the flour beetle, meal worm, and grain weevils make the product unappealing they are not harmful.

Sift them out of flour or mixes that are only slightly contaminated. If the product is riddled with the beetles discard it. Moths leave a grayish white silky mat on the food product.

To get rid of the infestation, remove all foods from the infected area and wash the area thoroughly. You may apply an approved pesticide for use in food areas in the racks and crevices that you cannot reach to clean.

Store foods in tightly closed containers to keep the food source away from any remaining beetles. Use glass, plastic and metal containers with tight fitting lids. Buy spices in bottles instead of metal containers with flip-top closures.

Other insects like cockroaches can carry dangerous microorganisms and diseases so discard products infested with these. Check with a pest control company for instructions on how to rid yourselves of these pests. There are some commercial products available, read and follow directions closely.