How To Get Rid Of Mealworm?

Mealworm problems may not be the most serious infestation a family will experience but it is frustrating and costly, to say the least. You can prevent mealworms and other pests from getting into your food items by keeping pantry and cabinets clean. Keep all food in tightly sealed containers.

If you have dry cereals, oatmeal, rice cereals etc. in your cabinets you should pay particular attention to these items. Don’t allow mealworms to get a start. Keep cereals and grains tightly secured in their containers.

Not Worms!
Mealworms aren’t really worms, in the strict sense of the word. These little pests are the larvae of a beetle that comes at us in three different types. After the mealworm larvae leaves the egg it seeks sustenance in your food-storage areas. The larvae eventually go through a pupa stage and then become an adult insect. This completes the cycle. When adults lay eggs the cycle starts all over again.

Mealworms work on leftovers and dead animals much the same way fly maggots do (these are larvae as well). Mealworm larvae will get into dark, tight spots and will feast on grain stored in outdoor locations as well.

This insect’s love for grains, cereals, breads and so on make our homes prime targets for infestation. Mealworm larvae are very active, sometimes traveling and feeding around the clock. They may even eat through insulation and other chewable building materials on their way to your pantry or cabinet. Some people report that mealworms actually thrive on home insulation!

Don’t think that just because you have sealed your cereals away you have eliminated all the food sources. These pests might even chew on clothing or some of your artificial plants.

To get rid of mealworms you should discard infested food items. Be sure to keep containers tightly sealed when you put them in a covered trash can or other container. Clean the pantry and cabinets thoroughly. If you suspect a food item is infested don’t hesitate to discard it and replace it.

Clean, Remove
Keep food items, especially dry cereals and baked items, in plastic containers. This will go a long way toward discouraging mealworms. They might chew through cardboard and paper to get to food but they will be turned away by plastic. You may have to resort to paying a professional exterminator if you can’t deal with the pests or if you don’t want to. A professional exterminator might be the only answer for large, widespread infestations.

You might be able to gather these pests and sell them to someone who uses them to feed birds and small reptiles. Mealworms are a great source of food for some animals. Use rubber gloves to collect them and place them in a plastic container or plastic storage bag. If you can’t find a way to sell them, make sure you dispose of them far from the house and far from your vegetable garden.

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