Steps to identify and eliminate insects in imported sources

Joe Barile, BCE, Technical Service Lead, Bayer

Stored product pest infestations can occur in both commercial and residential accounts. These cryptic insects may require an intense forensic review to identify and eliminate imported sources. Consider these three key steps:

1. A thorough inspection. Determine the contaminated source(s) and the extent of the infestation. Carefully examine all potential sources, especially recently introduced and/or “exotic” foods, as well as spices and pet foods. Look for insect activity in food packaging and in cracks and crevices where insects may be hiding and developing in accumulated food debris. The source usually is packaging and/or product that is damaged, unopened or forgotten.
2. A comprehensive treatment. Remove the infested product and destroy it immediately. Treatment also should consist of sanitation, hygiene, monitoring via pheromone traps, and using pesticides as appropriate.
3. A plan to prevent future infestations. Following source removal, use appropriately labeled residual surface sprays and/or baits to prevent new infestations. After treatment, use pheromone-containing monitoring traps to assist with the detection of any surviving or new infestations.