Controlling Insects Around Pet Food

Insects that commonly infest pet food include the Indian Meal Moth and beetle. These insects have an excellent sense of odor and are attracted to the smell of the food source. If an infestation is allowed to fester for some time, the odor of the infestation itself can attract even more insects to the area. Moths and beetles can access pet food by chewing through the packaging. Female pests, in particular, seek out food sources like these to lay her eggs so that they have a viable food source to live off of. Here are some tips to prevent insects from infesting pet food around your home: 1. Inspect new packages of pet food. A common way for stored product pests to be introduced is through new bags of pet food that you bring home from the store. Thoroughly inspect packages for signs of pests before you place it in your home. If pests are detected immediately return the product. Or place it in a container and store it separately until it can be returned to avoid an infestation. 2. Clean-up spills. Promptly clean up pet food spills to avoid attracting pests to the area. 4. Place pet food in a sealed plastic container. Immediately store any pet food in a non-penetrable plastic container with a tight fitting lid. This can help prevent pests from detecting the pet food odor and infesting the food. 5. Store pet food properly. It is recommended that pet food be stored on shelves, off of the ground and away from walls where pests may reside. 5. Rotate your pet food stock. For the sake of pests and to ensure freshness, always serve pets the oldest food in inventory first. 6. Clean often. Regularly clean the food storage area and inspect for signs of pests. 7. Monitor for pests. Be alerted early on to a pest infestation with the use of insect monitors. Place these discreet monitors in and around pet food areas. Check monitors regularly to detect pest infestations and take action promptly. If you’re addressing an existing infestation, place multiple Pantry Pest & Moth Glue Traps around the infested area to disrupt breeding cycles. If the problem continues, contact your pest management professional.