Advance Pest Control | Triangle Area, NC
If you’re new to our blog—welcome! At Advance Pest Control, our goal is to help local homeowners stay informed about the pests that show up where you least expect them. From ants and spiders to rodents and termites, we’ve seen it all across Wake Forest, Youngsville, Raleigh, Garner, and the entire Triangle area.
As the temperatures drop, more pests move inside—and your pantry becomes the perfect buffet. So before you reach for that box of cereal or bag of flour, you may want to ask:
👉 Who else has been eating from your pantry?
Why Pantry Pests Appear More in Fall & Winter
Cooler weather drives pests indoors, and stored foods become a safe haven for insects seeking warmth and food. Add in the fact that many families are cooking and baking more during the colder months, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for a pantry pest invasion.
Common culprits include moths, beetles, and weevils that can quietly infest your food without you noticing—until you see something fluttering around your kitchen.
🦋 Indian Meal Moth
The Indian Meal Moth is one of the most common pantry pests found in North Carolina homes. Its larvae feed on cereal, flour, rice, dried fruit, pet food, nuts, and spices.
You’ll often notice webbing inside containers or small moths flying near ceiling corners or pantries.
Prevention tip: Store susceptible foods in airtight containers, and discard anything showing webbing or clumping.
👉 Learn more from NC State Extension – Pantry Pests.
🌾 Angoumois Grain Moth (AGM)
The AGM prefers whole kernels of grain, such as corn, wheat, or popcorn. Adults are small and tan with fringed wings. The larvae develop inside kernels, so infestations often go unnoticed until tiny exit holes appear.
Prevention tip: Freeze grain-based foods for a few days after purchasing to kill eggs or larvae before storing.
🪲 Saw-Toothed Grain Beetle
These tiny, flat beetles can squeeze into packaged goods, infesting flour, cereals, cake mixes, and dried fruit. Because they are small and fast, they can be hard to spot until numbers multiply.
Prevention tip: Vacuum shelves thoroughly and wipe with warm, soapy water—especially cracks and corners where crumbs collect.
🪳 Cigarette Beetle & Drugstore Beetle
While the names sound unusual, both species love dried foods, spices, pet treats, tobacco, and even leather. The Cigarette Beetle is light brown and oval-shaped, while the Drugstore Beetle has grooves on its wing covers.
Prevention tip: Rotate food supplies and check expiration dates regularly—stale, forgotten items are their favorite hideouts.
🌰 Rice Weevils & Granary Weevils
These small, snout-nosed beetles infest grains, pasta, bird seed, and dry pet food. The female lays eggs inside individual kernels, where larvae feed until emerging as adults.
Prevention tip: Keep dry goods in sealed glass or hard plastic containers and dispose of any infested packages immediately.
🐭 Pantry Pests Beyond Insects
Don’t forget—rodents also love the pantry. Mice and rats will chew through paper, cardboard, and even plastic to access stored food. If you notice droppings, gnaw marks, or rustling sounds, it’s time to schedule a rodent inspection.
🧼 Three Steps to a Pest-Free Pantry
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Clean Regularly – Remove old items, vacuum crumbs, and wipe shelves with mild detergent.
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Store Smart – Use airtight containers made of glass or thick plastic.
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Inspect Often – Check new groceries for webbing, larvae, or adult insects before adding them to your pantry.
🛠 What To Do If You Spot Pantry Pests
If you see moths, beetles, or other insects flying near your kitchen light, there’s likely an infestation inside one or more food containers. Identify and discard contaminated items, then call a professional if the issue persists.
Our trained technicians at Advance Pest Control provide safe and effective pantry pest control using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques to eliminate infestations and prevent future ones.
🕷 Final Takeaway
Your home should be a place of comfort, not shared with bugs or rodents raiding your food supply. Whether it’s moths in your cereal, beetles in your flour, or mice in your pantry, Advance Pest Control can help you protect what matters most.
Call (919) 569-0555 or visit AdvancePestControl.co to schedule a free inspection today.
Let’s make sure you’re the only one eating from your pantry.
