How to Get Rid of and Prevent Flour Mites

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Flour mites are tiny pests that infest dry goods such as cereals [1] , pancake mix, dried vegetable materials, cheese, corn and dried fruits. They can thrive in the cleanest of kitchens if the conditions are right. A humid, dark, and warm pantry is the perfect breeding ground for flour mites, which usually get into your kitchen either already in the foodstuffs or hiding on the packaging. This article will teach you how to identify an infestation, how to treat it, and how to prevent future infestations.

Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Detecting Flour Mites

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  1. [2] Flour mites have off-white bodies and are so small they are nearly invisible to the naked eye [3] . Because of this, it is very difficult to detect mites until you have a full-blown infestation. The mites have brownish legs, and the collection of living and dead mites and their waste will appear as a brown coating or tinge. [4] It may look a bit like sand.
  2. When flour mites are crushed they give off a distinct minty odor. [5] [6] The food may also develop a sickly sweet smell or taste, even before you detect the mites. [7]
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  3. Make the flour as smooth and level as you can before walking away. If the flour is infested with mites, the surface will be uneven due to the movement of the mites. [8]
  4. The mites will stick to the tape and you may be able to see them with a magnifying glass. [9] Also check the glue on box tops, the edges of sealed flour canisters. They might not be able to get inside, but they may be on the lip and get in once you open the container.
  5. Though flour mites don't bite, some people may have an allergic reaction to the allergens on the mites or their waste products. [10] This is also known as "grocer's itch."
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Part 2
Part 2 of 3:

Getting Rid of Flour Mites

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  1. The flour mites feed on the germ in flour as well as mold, and their presence could indicate the food has gone bad. They can also pass the mold spores to other foods if they travel to another container. [11] Don't worry if you think you may have consumed some of the mites--they are harmless to most people.
    • In rare cases, people may have an allergic reaction to consuming flour contaminated by lice, called oral mite anaphylaxis, or pancake syndrome. A reaction usually occurs within minutes after eating the contaminated food and can cause hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the throat, nausea, weakness, and/or collapse.
    • Contact a doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms.
  2. If you have foodstuffs that show no sign of infestation or are not completely overrun with mites, storing them at temperatures below 0°F (-18°C) for four to seven days will kill any stray mites, eggs, or larva. [12]
    • Once the mites are dead, try sifting the dry goods or removing portions you know were infested and may contain dead mites. [13]
  3. You want to remove every last speck of food from these containers, depriving any surviving mites of their food. Wash the containers and lids in very hot water and make sure they are completely dry before you refill them. [14]
  4. Vacuum the shelves and walls, paying special attention to crevices. If you don't have a vacuum, try using a clean, dry brush to sweep out the area. [15] Make sure you throw the vacuum bag in the trash bin outside immediately after cleaning.
    • Wipe down all the surfaces, but avoid using chemical pesticides anywhere near your food or food storage.
    • Try cleaning with a mixture of water and vinegar (1 part vinegar to 2 parts water) or natural insect repellents and safe pesticides like neem oil or orange oil (1 part oil to 10 parts water). [16]
    • Use a hairdryer to dry the storage area. Flour mites like damp, humid places. [17]
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Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Preventing Flour Mites

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  1. Flour mites cannot thrive in a low-humidity environment (under 65%), and you should never see an infestation if your storage area is well-ventilated. Pay attention to the placement of kettles, cookers, dryers, and stoves and make sure they are not causing moist air to collect in food storage areas.
    • Try keeping a fan in your pantry to cool the air and dry out any moisture.
  2. , grains, cereal, and other susceptible foods in clean, airtight containers. This will keep your food fresh and dry and keep mites out. If there are any mites that survived your cleaning process, depriving them of their food source will cause them to starve and prevent them from laying eggs in your grains.
    • Resealable plastic bags can work short-term, but mites can chew holes through them and get to your food [18] . Try glass or thick plastic containers instead.
    • The lifecycle of flour mites is about one month, so if you can keep everything clean and sealed up tight, any remaining mites should die off.
    • Try to avoid combining old and new foods in the containers. Wait until you've used up all the flour in the bin, give the bin a thorough cleaning and remove any old flour stuck to the bottom, and then refill with the new flour. [19]
  3. Though it may be a little more expensive than buying in large, bulk quantities, but if you buy smaller portions, you are less likely to have susceptible foodstuffs sitting around for long periods of time. If they sit in a humid environment for too long, they may become damp and start to mold and start another infestation of mites. [20]
    • Make sure you inspect all packaging before bringing dry goods home. Make sure they are not damp or damaged and that they were not stored on a damp shelf. [21]
  4. Flour mites, cockroaches, moths, rats, weevils, and many other pests are said to hate the smell of bay leaves and will avoid your dry goods if they are present. You can put the leaves right into the container (the taste won't leech into your food) or tape them to the lid of the container or inside the pantry or cupboard.
    • There are conflicting reports about whether to use dry or fresh bay leaves. People have reported success with both, so buy whatever is easiest for you and see how it works. [22]
  5. The regulations for pet foods aren't as strict as ours, and they may be more likely to harbor pests. However extruded pet foods ( those that are dry and formed into shapes) are processed at high temperatures and have low water activity. You will be very unlucky to have a problem with these. Store these in airtight containers away from your own foodstuffs. However do separate as indicated - your pets dont want your human food contamination contamination.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How can I tell if flour mites have invaded my pantry?
    Wilson Christner
    Pest Management Professional
    Wilson Christner is a Pest Management Professional and Co-Owner of Whitmore Pest & Wildlife Control. With over 14 years of experience, Wilson offers comprehensive services to address immediate pest issues, while also providing valuable recommendations and solutions for habitat improvements and exclusion techniques, particularly for wildlife and rodent-related problems. Wilson holds a wood-destroying organism, outdoor vertebrate, and residential/commercial pest control Qualified Supervisor certification from the Colorado Department of Agriculture. Wilson is also a red card certified wildland firefighter and was honored as the firefighter of the year in 2017.
    Wilson Christner
    Pest Management Professional
    Expert Answer
    A stale, musty smell around your food containers is a red flag that flour mites may be settling in. You'll probably notice it most around any infested packages. Keep an eye out for tiny holes or other damage to the packaging too — that's a dead giveaway the mites are making themselves at home.
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  • Question
    How do I permanently get rid of dust mites?
    Erik Bakirov
    Cleaning Specialist
    Erik Bakirov is a Cleaning Specialist at Room413 Cleaning in Los Angeles, California. Erik specializes in deep, move-in, and move-out cleaning services. Room413 matches homeowners with reliable and trustworthy cleaning services. They also promote environmentally friendly cleaning products.
    Erik Bakirov
    Cleaning Specialist
    Expert Answer
    One of the most effective ways to get rid of dust mites is by applying steam. A steamer is best suited, however, an industrial professional-grade steamer should be used to be effective instead of the regular steamer that is used for clothes.
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      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about pest control, check out our in-depth interview with Wilson Christner .

      References

      1. ↑ Wilson Christner. Pest Management Professional. Expert Interview. 31 May 2023.
      2. ↑ http://ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/flour-and-grain-mites
      3. ↑ Wilson Christner. Pest Management Professional. Expert Interview. 31 May 2023.
      4. ↑ http://homeguides.sfgate.com/pantry-mites-83735.html
      5. ↑ http://ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/flour-and-grain-mites
      6. ↑ Wilson Christner. Pest Management Professional. Expert Interview. 31 May 2023.
      7. ↑ http://www.the-piedpiper.co.uk/th7g.htm
      8. ↑ http://www.the-piedpiper.co.uk/th7g.htm
      9. ↑ http://citybugs.tamu.edu/factsheets/biting-stinging/others/ent-3009/
      1. ↑ https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/injuries-poisoning/bites-and-stings/mite-bites
      2. ↑ http://ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/flour-and-grain-mites
      3. ↑ https://www.weekand.com/home-garden/article/pantry-mites-18050961.php
      4. ↑ https://www.weekand.com/home-garden/article/pantry-mites-18050961.php
      5. ↑ http://ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/flour-and-grain-mites
      6. ↑ stoke.gov.uk/food
      7. ↑ http://www.discoverneem.com/neem-oil.html
      8. ↑ stoke.gov.uk/food
      9. ↑ Wilson Christner. Pest Management Professional. Expert Interview. 31 May 2023.
      10. ↑ http://ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/flour-and-grain-mites
      11. ↑ http://homeguides.sfgate.com/pantry-mites-83735.html
      12. ↑ http://homeguides.sfgate.com/pantry-mites-83735.html
      13. ↑ http://www.houstonpress.com/restaurants/banishing-bugs-with-bay-leaves-6411592

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To get rid of flour mites and prevent them from coming back, throw away any infested food in your outside trash bin so they can’t continue to spread, and remove and sanitize any bins, jars, or containers where the contaminated food was stored. Vacuum the pantry or cabinet thoroughly to remove any remaining mites, their eggs, and their droppings. To keep the mites from coming back, keep your food storage areas dry and cool, and store dry goods in clean, airtight containers. For tips on detecting flour mites, read on!

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