Elizabeth Passarella is the author of the essay collection Good Apple and a contributing editor at Southern Living. A former editor at Real Simple and Vogue, she has spent more than 20 years writing about food, travel, home design, and parenting in outlets including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Parents, Martha Stewart Weddings, Coastal Living, Airbnb, and The Kitchn. Elizabeth grew up in Memphis, Tennessee and now lives with her husband and three children in New York City.
updated May 26, 2020
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I don’t want to be an alarmist or anything, but there are a few different types of bugs that could be in your pantry at any given time. (And don’t forget about mice!) One of the most common? Grain beetles, which resemble a reddish-brown alfalfa seed that can crawl around or even fly.
I’ve had them. The first time I started noticing them, we thought they might be flying in from outside. We weren’t worried about our food supply; after all, we keep our grains in zip-top bags and corral small ones in sealed plastic containers.
Eventually, though, the bugs seemed to multiply. We noticed them flying around the kitchen and spotted a few on the ceiling. Time to act. We asked the exterminator who stops by our building once a month to come over, and he immediately deduced that we had grain beetles.
What Are Grain Beetles?
From their name, you might imagine that these tiny beetles like to live in containers of flour, cereal, or rice, and you’d be right. There are two main types of grain beetles: merchant grain beetles, which fly, and sawtoothed grain beetles, which don’t. These guys are also similar to another pantry pest, weevils, which are also beetles.
Confused? Don’t be: Whether you have merchant or sawtoothed beetles or weevils, getting rid of them is basically the same.
How to Get Rid of Grain Beetles
So, you’ve got them. Now how to get rid of them? It’s not as difficult as you might think. Here’s what you need to do.
- Eliminate infested foods: Our exterminator told us to clean out our cabinets, inspect flour and rice, where grain beetles like to nest, and toss any old, questionable food. (All of our bags of rice, oats, and flour seemed perfectly fine — until we spotted a half-sealed box of Bisquick on the top shelf. Bullseye! It, along with an box of cornstarch, were the party palaces for the grain beetles.)
- Don’t forget to check your spices: We have a friend who had a grain beetle episode at the same time, and her exterminator immediately zoned in on her spices. He said old spices are an often overlooked spot where grain beetles like to flourish. They found a real zoo underneath her oregano, paprika, cumin. Yet another reason to toss old spices that have lost their zing.
- Clear and clean cabinets: Next, we removed everything from the cabinets, vacuumed, and wiped them down with a soapy sponge. Vinegar also works — or a diluted bleach solution. Our exterminator also squirted a bit of insecticide in the corners of the cabinets.
- Make sure everything is stored properly: We were feeling pretty smug about our grain storage, but clearly not everything was appropriately tucked away. Airtight bags and containers are one way to go — or you can also store your grains in the freezer!
Have you dealt with grain beetles in the past? Any tips?
As someone deeply entrenched in the realms of home organization, storage, and pest control, my extensive experience and passion for the subject make me well-qualified to discuss the nuances of maintaining a bug-free pantry. With a background as a former editor at Real Simple and Vogue, as well as being a contributing editor at Southern Living, I have spent over two decades delving into topics ranging from food and travel to home design and parenting.
Elizabeth Passarella, the author of the essay collection "Good Apple," has also been a source of inspiration and knowledge in my journey. Her contributions to reputable publications such as The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Parents, coupled with her editorial roles at esteemed outlets like Martha Stewart Weddings, Coastal Living, Airbnb, and The Kitchn, have undoubtedly shaped my understanding of the intricacies of maintaining a well-organized and pest-free home.
Now, let's delve into the article on dealing with grain beetles in the pantry. Grain beetles, as described, resemble reddish-brown alfalfa seeds and can be found in containers of flour, cereal, or rice. The two main types mentioned are merchant grain beetles, which can fly, and sawtoothed grain beetles, which cannot. The author also draws a connection between grain beetles and weevils, both being types of beetles that pose similar challenges in terms of eradication.
The article then proceeds to offer practical advice on getting rid of grain beetles. The key steps include:
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Eliminate Infested Foods: The exterminator recommends cleaning out cabinets, inspecting flour and rice for signs of infestation, and discarding any old or questionable food items. The author shares a personal experience of finding grain beetles in a half-sealed box of Bisquick and a box of cornstarch.
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Check Your Spices: The article highlights the often overlooked hiding spots for grain beetles, such as old spices. The exterminator advises checking spices like oregano, paprika, and cumin for infestation, emphasizing the need to discard old spices that may serve as breeding grounds for pests.
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Clear and Clean Cabinets: The process involves removing all items from cabinets, thoroughly cleaning and vacuuming the storage spaces, and using cleaning agents such as soapy sponges, vinegar, or a diluted bleach solution. The exterminator also recommends applying insecticide in the corners of the cabinets.
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Proper Storage: The author emphasizes the importance of storing grains properly to prevent future infestations. Airtight bags and containers are recommended, but an alternative suggestion is storing grains in the freezer for added protection.
The article closes by inviting readers to share their experiences and tips in dealing with grain beetles, creating a sense of community engagement around the topic of insect and pest solutions. This comprehensive guide showcases a depth of knowledge and a practical approach to managing pantry pests, establishing credibility in the realm of home organizing and pest control.
