Flour beetle infestations: How to protect your pantry

Various insects, such as fruit flies, ants, and pantry moths, often invade homes. The flour beetle, though less talked about, is equally harmful. It contaminates food products with its waste, molted skins, and dead bodies. It can also transmit harmful microorganisms.

The flour beetle is a small bug with a dark brown or black body. Adult specimens have a characteristic shiny shell and wings and can reach up to 0.6 inches (14 mm) in length. The larvae are white and hide in food products like flour, rice, or potato starch.

The flour beetle is most often brought into homes with purchased food products. It very rarely flies into homes on its own, instead settling in kitchen corners. One specimen's development takes about a year, and a female can lay up to 500 eggs. The larvae are almost impossible to see with the naked eye, making them particularly difficult to fight.

The first step in fighting the flour beetle is to throw away all infested food products. Next, thoroughly clean the entire kitchen, paying particular attention to cabinets and corners. It's best to wipe all surfaces with a cloth moistened with vinegar.

One of the most effective methods is to freeze food. Remember that the flour beetle is resistant to low temperatures, but the development of its larvae is halted at temperatures above 90°F (32°C) and below 23°F (-5°C). Freezing can effectively combat both larvae and adult beetles.

To prevent the appearance of the flour beetle at home, it's worth following a few simple rules:

• Regularly check food products before purchasing them.
• Transfer loose products into airtight containers.
• Regularly clean the kitchen, especially the cabinets, and corners.
• Use sticky traps and chemical preparations to prevent pest development.