Common Grain Pests

Simply put, grain pests are insects that feed on grain – corn, rice, barley, wheat, cereal, oats, and others. Some of the most common types of grain pests include:

• Grain Weevil
• Grain Borer
• Grain Moth
• Rice Weevil
• Maize Weevil
• Rust Red Flour Beetle

Most of these insects measure between 2 and 3 mm in length and are either brown or dark red in color. They are typically slightly flattened in appearance, and many of them have six projections on their thorax, which resemble saw blades.

You can imagine the damage these pests can wreak on a large supply of grain. Grain pests can get into your storage or shipping areas in a whole host of different ways. Long periods of storage, inadequate sanitation, or lack of proper inspection can increase your chances of an infestation. However, even if you take these preventative measures, you still run the risk of a grain infestation due to factors that are beyond your control.

Residential Grain Pests

A food pantry in your house is typically used to store dry and canned goods. Most people have rice, flour, and other types of grain stored in their kitchen and pantry. But where there’s food, there might be bugs. Grain pests, also called pantry pests, are not uncommon to find in your pantry.

Even in a spotless kitchen, you can find them. They don’t bite or sting, but they can cause extensive damage to your stored food and dried goods. They often make their way into a house by hitching a ride in the food from your grocery store, during delivery, or from the warehouse or processing plant.

Grain pests are not picky; they’ll munch on just about anything they find. Opened packages are a primary target because they are easy to get into, but many will get into unopened packages as well.

If you come across a pantry pest in an area where you don’t have food stored, it’s likely nothing to worry about. However, if you see them on your kitchen counter or the floor by your pantry, it could be an early sign of an infestation. Check your shelves and food packages thoroughly!

If you discover weevils or beetles in your food, it’s time to empty your pantry and vacuum out the shelves. Then, wash the area down with soap and water. Bleach or other cleaning chemicals won’t keep them from coming back but can be dangerous if they contact food. When you put new food back into your pantry, make sure it is free of pests.

This will hopefully solve your issue, but it’s not a guarantee. If you continue to have grain pests, call Titan Pest & Wildlife. Our team has over 15 years of experience as professional exterminators getting rid of pests for our clients.

Commercial Grain Pests

For farmers and commercial facilities, protecting stored grain is essential. It’s estimated that 1/3 of all grain is lost annually across the globe because of grain pest infestations. However, on a smaller scale, you may own a bakery or restaurant and have grain pest issues that can be just as devastating to your bottom dollar. When left unchecked, grain pests can damage your entire storage supply or shipment of crops or grains.

Preventing Grain Pests

Preventing grain pests from costing you money almost always requires the assistance of a professional pest control service. You need to ensure that your products are safe for your consumers and therefore need the correct safeguards in place. Sanitation, inspections, and preventative measures will help, but contact Titan Pest & Wildlife for the best results.

Integrated Pest Management System

Pest control is essential whether you want to protect your home or business. By utilizing an integrated pest management program, we ensure that we eliminate your current pests and prevent future outbreaks. These methods include:

• Planning – We conduct a thorough inspection of your home and consider any factors contributing to current or future pest issues. Following this, we will create a customized treatment program specifically designed for your situation.
• Initial pest control service – Our initial visit will focus on targeting and eliminating any current pest problems you have. We will ensure that any future issues are a matter of pest prevention.
• Regularly scheduled service – At Titan Pest & Wildlife, we provide preventative maintenance programs to ensure that your business is and remains completely pest-free.

Grain Pest Prevention & Removal

At Titan Pest & Wildlife, we make it our business to protect your home or business. Our residential and commercial pest control solutions provide a thorough pest management process designed to eliminate the bug problems you have now and, more importantly, prevent future infestations from happening.