Businesses that store grains, dried goods, or other food items are at risk of problems from stored product pests. These pests can get into your facility, ruin food, and even cause health concerns. If you’ve seen signs of these pests, it’s important to act fast—or better yet, stop them before they become a problem.

At Florida Pest Control, we offer trusted  stored product pest control services to get rid of pantry pests and prevent them from entering your supply chain. Our experts work with a range of businesses throughout the supply chain, from producers, food processors, and logistics companies to grocery stores, restaurants and other food outlets, to protect their businesses and reputations.

What Are Stored Product Pests?

Stored product pests are insects that infest dry goods such as grains, cereals, nuts, and spices. These pests can cause contamination, spoilage, and loss of inventory, leading to financial and reputational damage for businesses.

Common stored product pantry pests include:

• Confused Flour Beetle: Known for infesting flour and other grain products.
• Indian Meal Moth: A moth species whose larvae feed on dried foods and grains.
• Merchant Grain Beetle: Often found in cereals, nuts, and dried fruits.
• Rice Weevil: A small beetle that attacks whole grains.
• Sawtoothed Grain Beetle: Frequently found in packaged foods and grain products.

Signs of Stored Product Pests

Recognizing the signs of a stored product pest infestation is key to stopping it early. You may notice live or dead insects in food products, webbing or clumping in dry goods (often caused by moth larvae), or damaged packaging. Small holes in grains or seeds are another telltale sign that pests have been feeding.

Understanding these signs and the behavior of stored product pantry pests can help you take the right steps to eliminate them and prevent future problems.

Restaurants
In restaurants, stored product pests are often found in dry ingredients like flour, rice, or spices. Look closely for small beetles, moths, or larvae hiding in storage containers. You might also spot webbing left by moths or fine dust near packaging where pests have chewed through.

Hotels
Hotels should check for pests in areas where dry snacks, coffee supplies, or complimentary food items are stored. Tiny pests can infiltrate these items, especially if they’re left open or improperly sealed.

Food Processing Factories
In food processing facilities, pests can contaminate equipment and products. Look for dead insects or larvae in production lines and examine packaging materials for holes or tears that could indicate pest activity.

Grocery Stores
In grocery stores, pests often invade bulk food bins, shelves, and packaging. Damaged or chewed packaging and the presence of droppings are clear signs of an infestation.

Regular inspections and immediate action are key to keeping your business safe. Call us today to set up a consultation and keep your facility safe from stored-product pests.

Our Methods for Stored Product Pest Control

Florida Pest Control employs a structured approach to eliminate and prevent stored product insects. Our process ensures thorough treatment and long-term protection:

Inspection

Our experienced technicians perform detailed inspections to identify potential risks, the presence of any pest species, and to locate infestation sites and assess the extent of any existing problem. This step is critical for tailoring the treatment plan to your facility’s specific needs.

Treatment

We offer a variety of treatment options, each designed to combat stored product pests effectively:

• Heat Treatment: Targets pests at all life stages without leaving chemical residues.
• Pheromone Mating Disruption: Reduces pest populations by interrupting their breeding cycle.
• Fumigation: Quickly eliminates large infestations in enclosed spaces.
• Population Monitoring: Tracks pest activity to gauge the success of treatments.
• Ultra-Low Volume (ULV) Treatments: Delivers precise insecticide applications to targeted areas.

By employing the most appropriate combination of methods, we address infestations effectively and minimize disruptions to your business operations.

Prevention

Stopping future infestations is an important part of our service. Our team works with you to create a plan tailored to your needs. This includes:

• Ongoing monitoring: We use traps and pheromone lures to monitor pest activity.
• Sanitation protocols: Our experts advise you on how best to maintain hygiene standards by removing food residue and other things that attract pests.
• Structural improvements: We work with you to identify and seal cracks, gaps, or other entry points to keep pests out of your facility.

How To Prevent Stored Product Pests

Preventing stored product pests is the best way to protect your facility from infestations. It’s important to inspect shipments before bringing them into your facility. Look for any signs of pests in incoming goods and install mesh screens on windows and vents to prevent pests from entering. Additionally, seal cracks and gaps in walls, floors, and ceilings to eliminate potential entry points.

Storing food in airtight containers will help keep pests from accessing food sources and reduce the risk of contamination. Maintaining a clean environment is also essential—regularly clean storage areas, shelves, and equipment to remove food residues that attract pests.

Lastly, implement regular pest monitoring by using traps and pheromone lures. This allows you to detect early signs of infestation and address them promptly.

Book an Inspection With a Stored Product Pest Expert Today

Avoid failed inspections, production delays, and shutdowns. Take the first step towards peace of mind by scheduling your initial inspection with us. Getting started with Florida Pest Control is simple. Our stored product pest specialists are eager to assist you, so don’t hesitate to give us a call and schedule your FREE inspection today!

FAQs

What is the meaning of stored product?

Stored products are dried foods and grains that are kept for future use or sale. Examples include flour, rice, nuts, spices, and cereals. These products are often stored in warehouses, factories, grocery stores, or restaurants. Stored products can attract pests because insects like beetles, moths, and weevils can easily access them if proper care isn’t taken.

What is a stored product pest?

A stored product pest is an insect that attacks and damages dried food items and grains while they are stored. These pests, including beetles, moths, and weevils, can spoil food and make it unsafe to eat. Some examples of stored product pests are the Indian meal moth, confused flour beetle, and rice weevil.

What is SPI in pest control?

SPI stands for stored product insects. These pests infest and damage stored food products. SPI pest control includes methods like inspections, fumigation, and preventive measures such as sealing storage areas and keeping them clean. Proper SPI management is important for businesses that store or process dried food.

What are the symptoms of stored product pests?

The signs of a stored product pest infestation include:

• Live or dead insects in stored foods.
• Damaged packaging, such as holes, tears, or chewed edges.
• Fine dust or powder around food containers is caused by pests chewing through grains or packaging.
• Webbing or clumps in grains or flour, often created by moth larvae.
• Unpleasant odors in food storage areas can occur when pests infest and contaminate food.

Spotting these signs early can help prevent a small problem from becoming a big one. Regular inspections and proper storage practices are key to avoiding stored product pest issues.

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