Avatar for Ilija712
Oct 16, 2022 3:03 AM CST
Thread OP

A bunch of small bugs in kitchen cabinet. They ate through pasta packaging and multiplied while I wasnt home. Threw out all food, vacuumed, cleaned cabinets and sparyed some general purpose insect spray. But every morning when I check there is 1-4 of them in the cabinet laying on their back or just not moving. They can also fly and I randomly find 1 or 2 around the room throughout the day. I would like to know the name and any tips of how to fully rid of them.
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Oct 16, 2022 6:41 AM CST
Name: Zoë
Albuquerque NM, Elev 5310 ft (Zone 7b)
Bee Lover Salvias Region: New Mexico Herbs Container Gardener Composter
Cat Lover Butterflies Bookworm Birds Enjoys or suffers hot summers
I wish your photos were better focused with something for scale.
Grain weevils are know for eating, well, grains, but they are extremely tiny.

Your bugs sort of resemble the shape of German cockroaches — much smaller than other common cockroaches (but like their bigger cousins, they flip onto their backs when dead). If so, they breed like crazy and are hard to eradicate. . . consider calling a professional exterminator. See if this looks like what you have. Good luck!
https://cockroachfacts.com/ger...
Avatar for MsDoe
Oct 16, 2022 9:23 PM CST
Southwest U.S. (Zone 7a)
Hello Ilija, and welcome to the forum!
There are a number of insects that will happily take over your cupboards. Unfortunately, I can't tell from your photos which one(s) you have. Here's a link to some good information, maybe it will help you identify your critters.
http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTN...
Pantry pests live on almost anything--flour, cereal, rice, pasta, pancake mix, dried fruit, crackers, cookies, spices, pet food and many other edibles. Once they're established, it takes some time to get rid of them for good, but it can be done.
Sounds like you've already taken the first step--get rid of everything in the cupboard, and clean up any spilled food.
New food coming in should be stored in the freezer for a week first, that will kill any incoming bugs. As much as possible, keep these items in the freezer or refrigerator until you're ready to use them.
Everything in the cupboard needs to be in a tightly sealed container--glass, metal or heavy plastic. The top needs to be very tight fitting. Only store small quantities in the cupboard, keep everything else in the freezer or 'fridge. Don't store anything in paper, cardboard, or thin cellophane/plastic.
I wouldn't spray insecticide in the kitchen. It's not going to solve the problem and exposes you and your family to toxic chemicals.
Carefully get rid of contaminated food, clean up even small spills, and keep most food items either tightly sealed in heavy containers, or stored in the freezer/fridge. When they can't get to their food, they'll die off.
Stay vigilant, now that you know what they look like you can be prepared to deal with them immediately if they reappear.
Good Luck!
Welcome!
Avatar for Ilija712
Oct 17, 2022 2:19 AM CST
Thread OP

Thanks for responses here are some more images and a plate full of them for scale.
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Avatar for Ilija712
Oct 17, 2022 3:01 AM CST
Thread OP

More images, dust particle on its butt for scale. Also camera changes its color I think they are brownish some darker some lighter.
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Last edited by Ilija712 Oct 17, 2022 3:05 AM Icon for preview
Avatar for MsDoe
Oct 18, 2022 8:15 AM CST
Southwest U.S. (Zone 7a)
I'm sorry, but I just can't identify them from the photos. Sighing! You have a good view of them, try browsing online images of pantry pests to see if anything matches.
You don't give your location, but if you're in the U.S. you could also try taking a sample to your local County Cooperative Extension Office.
Whatever they are, if you follow the recommendations above, you can get rid of them.
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