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View Full Version : Tiny bugs in my kitchen cupboards - Pest control


bottlebob
Jul 6, 2009, 01:38 PM
I have tiny bugs in my kitchen cupboards, which move onto my worktops. I only discovered them by leaving a pile of papers on the worktop which they seem to be drawn to. It is hard to describe them as they are too small to get a description (between 1 and 2.5mm in lenth). I think they are brown. I originally thought they were black but they could be brownish. They don't fly.

I cleaned out all of my cupboards. It seems they had found there way into a unopened packed of spagetti and pasta too.

I have thrown away almost all of the contents of my cupboards and will buy containers to store products in future, however they still seem to be crawling around. I've even found them in pill packets (they seem to like paper/cardboard).

Do I need to look for a nest or something similar. I've only had the problem for a couple of months, it seems to be worse not better. I'm at a loss what to do, please advise!

Catsmine
Jul 6, 2009, 02:07 PM
These sound like cigarette beetles, or their close relative drugstore beetles.

Image Search Results (http://www.goodsearch.com/searchimage.aspx?keywords=Cigarette+beetles)

Image Search Results (http://www.goodsearch.com/searchimage.aspx?keywords=+drugstore+beetles)

Both of these are known as "pantry pests" because they feed on things stored in homes. Check your entire pantry, particularly pet food and doggie treats.

Once you have found and disposed of infested materials, a residual insecticide spray in your cabinets before you replace the shelf paper should keep them from rebuilding the population. (Hint; use the non-smelly kind of sprays)

bottlebob
Jul 6, 2009, 02:35 PM
Thanks for the advise I will try this.

Clough
Jul 7, 2009, 01:44 AM
Hi, bottlebob!

Catsmine has provided you some excellent advice here which also helps me because I have the same problem!

Thanks!

Catsmine
Jul 7, 2009, 02:47 AM
Hi, bottlebob!

Catsmine has provided you some excellent advice here which also helps me because I have the same problem!

Thanks!

Your humble servant, sir.

bottlebob
Jul 7, 2009, 06:02 AM
Hi, bottlebob!

Catsmine has provided you some excellent advice here which also helps me because I have the same problem!

Thanks!

Well I've just finished clearing everything out of the kitchen and sprayed inside and outside of cupboards. I'm going to leave over night to thoroughly dry out, then give it a good clean.

Fingers crossed!

All my food will be in containers in future, I don't want to go through this again.

Good luck with yours.

Catsmine
Jul 7, 2009, 06:25 AM
Well I've just finished clearing everything out of the kitchen and sprayed inside and outside of cupboards. I'm going to leave over night to thoroughly dry out, then give it a good clean.

Fingers crossed!

All my food will be in containers in future, I don't want to go through this again.

Good luck with yours.

DON'T use detergents when you clean. They will clean up the bugspray, too. Or you can re-spray right before you put down the shelf paper.

bottlebob
Jul 7, 2009, 11:16 AM
DON'T use detergents when you clean. They will clean up the bugspray, too. Or you can re-spray right before you put down the shelf paper.

Ok thanks, just hot water then. How long, approximately, should I wait until I can do a full clean up?

jenniepepsi
Jul 7, 2009, 11:24 AM
Is it just me or have I seen this same post several times in the last few days and each time its posted it gets locked...

Catsmine
Jul 7, 2009, 04:52 PM
is it just me or have i seen this exact same post several times in the last few days and each time its posted it gets locked...

It's just you.

Catsmine
Jul 7, 2009, 04:54 PM
Ok thanks, just hot water then. How long, approximately, should I wait until I can do a full clean up?

Do the clean-up, dry, then re-spray, since you've already sprayed once. A second dose probably won't hurt providing the finish on your shelves can handle it.

katzh
Jul 23, 2009, 09:17 AM
bottlebob, please let me know what you used to rid yourself of these pests. I've found in my pantry what you described, and have had to throw out all boxed items and any loose packaging outside of containers sealed tight. How frustrating! Thank you.