It is a nuisance when pests suddenly appear in flour and other dry foods. These are not always clearly recognizable. The quicker you act, the easier it is to control the spread of unwanted residents.
The flour moth lays its eggs in the flour
Storage pests - general tips
If pasta, flour, rice, and oatmeal are infested with pests, you should discard the affected food. Not all insects turn out to be harmful to health. You can leave dried products stuffed with eggs and larvae in the oven at 60 degrees for at least half an hour. Cold treatment for several days in the freezer is also possible. Both procedures ensure that the harmful insects die off.
How to protect yourself from an infestation:
- Store dry food in airtight glass containers
- only store as much flour as you can use in a short time
- Clean cupboards and shelves regularly with vinegar water
flour moths
The moths are characterized by silver-grey wings with brown markings. They are about 14 millimeters long and lay their eggs in suitable food substrates. If the temperature is sufficient, the larvae hatch after 96 hours. They infuse the flour with excrement and fine webs so that lumps form.
combat
The most effective way to get rid of flour moths is parasitic wasps (€22.99) of the genus Trichogramma. There are cards on the market that have eggs on them. These are placed in shelves, closets and pantries. After the beneficial insects have hatched, they look for moth larvae to parasitize them.
flour mites
The mites, which are less than a millimeter in size, are light in color and have long bristles. A high humidity of at least 60 percent and a substrate moisture of 14 percent are necessary for their successful development from egg to adult. They tolerate a temperature window between ten and 35 degrees. If the conditions are suboptimal, permanent nymphs develop. Badly infested foods emit a heavy, sweet and acrid odor. They are no longer suitable for consumption.
You can do that
Diatomaceous earth is good for treating flour mite hiding spots. Scatter the powder in any crevices that are near the infested produce. Ventilate two to three times a day to ensure air exchange and reduce humidity. Grain robber mites are natural enemies of this pest.
mealworms
They are a developmental stage of the flour beetle, which places its sticky eggs in sheltered spots. The scrims are difficult to recognize due to dust build-up. Both adult beetles and their larvae feed on starchy products. Mealworms are light brown in color and easily recognizable at this stage. If the flour pulls strings and is no longer finely powdery, this can indicate an infestation. In this case, disposal and strict hygiene are necessary.