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This NebGuide describes seven of the most common insects that infest stored food products and provides prevention and control recommendations.
Finding insect-infested food products in the kitchen and pantry is relatively common in Nebraska. Dried food products that are often subject to insect infestations include: flour, cereals, cracked grains, cake mixes, crackers, powdered milk, macaroni, cured meats, dried fruits, nuts, popcorn, and spices. Other items such as pet foods, seed displays, ornamental corn, dried flower arrangements and ornaments made from plant parts may also become infested.
Insect pests most often encountered in stored food products are flour beetles; sawtoothed grain beetles; Indian meal moths; cigarette and drugstore beetles; dermestid beetles; granary, rice, and maize weevils; and spider beetles. All stages (egg, larva, pupa and adult) of these insects may be present simultaneously in infested products.