It can be unsettling to find tiny bugs in your kitchen—especially in rice, flour, or cereal. These are usually pantry pests such as rice weevils, flour beetles, or grain moths.
What Are Pantry Pests?
These insects thrive on stored dry foods like pasta, grains, cereal, and spices. They often sneak in through packaged goods or small cupboard gaps.
Are They Dangerous?
Pantry pests don’t bite or sting, but they contaminate food with eggs, larvae, or webbing, making it unsafe to eat.
Signs of Infestation
Small beetle-like bugs or moths in cupboards
Larvae or worms inside food packages
Webbing or holes in packaging
What To Do
Inspect all pantry items and discard anything infested.
Clean shelves with soap and water to remove crumbs and eggs.
Transfer safe foods into airtight glass or plastic containers.
For prevention, freeze new dry goods for a few days before storing.
Prevention Tips
Buy only what you’ll use in a few months.
Keep your pantry clean and dry.
Use airtight containers to block pests.
Finding bugs is frustrating, but quick action and proper storage will keep your food safe and your kitchen pest-free.