Flour mites are small pests that breed in dry foodstuffs, such as cereals, instant pancake flour, cheese, corn, dried vegetables, and dried fruits. Flour mites can even thrive in the cleanest kitchens if the environmental conditions are right. Damp, dark, and warm cupboards are perfect breeding grounds for flour mites, which usually make their way into the kitchen because they are already in foodstuffs or hiding in packaging. Read this article to learn how to identify, eradicate, and prevent flour mites.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Detecting Flour Mites
Step 1. Look for brown “dust mites” on the surface of the food
The body of the flour mite is white and so small that it is almost invisible when seen with the naked eye. Therefore, flour mites are very difficult to detect if they have not thrived. However, flour mite feet are brown in color, so a collection of live and dead mites and their droppings will look like a brown coating/hue--or a bit like sand.
Step 2. Wipe a small amount of dust mite or suspicious flour between 2 fingers and watch out for the minty scent
When crushed, dust mites give off a distinctive minty aroma. Food may also have a disgustingly sweet taste or smell, even before the mites are detected.
Step 3. Spread the flour on the counter and check after letting it sit for 15 minutes
Make sure the flour is as smooth and even as possible before letting it sit. If there are mites, the surface of the flour will be uneven due to the mites moving around.
Step 4. Stick a piece of Scotch tape on the food packaging or kitchen cupboard and see if there are mites
If present, the mites will stick to the tape and can be seen with a loupe. Also check the glue on the top of the box or the lip of the flour container. Mites may not be able to get inside, but they are on the lip of the container and get inside when the container is opened.
Step 5. Pay attention to whether you feel itchy after handling flour or grains
Although flour mites do not bite, some people may be allergic to the allergens present in the mites or their droppings. This allergic reaction is also known as "grocer's itch".
Part 2 of 3: Getting Rid of Flour Mites
Step 1. Put mite-infested foodstuffs in a plastic garbage bag and throw them in the trash outside the house
Flour mites feed on bacteria and fungi in flour. The appearance of mites is an indication that the food material has been damaged. In addition, flour mites can also carry mold spores to other foodstuffs if the mites move to another container. Don't worry if you think you may have eaten flour mites--they are harmless to most people.
- In rare cases, an allergic reaction, called oral mite anaphylaxis or pancake syndrome, results from ingesting flour mites. Allergic reactions, such as urticaria, shortness of breath, swollen throat, nausea, weakness, and/or fainting, usually occur within minutes of eating food contaminated with the mites.
- Call your doctor immediately if these symptoms occur.
Step 2. Freeze all dry food items that may have mites to kill the mites
If there are no or only slight signs of mites in the food, store at -18°C for 4-7 days to kill any mites, eggs or larvae.
Once the mites have died, sift through the food or discard any parts that are known to have mites or contain dead mites
Step 3. Clean any boxes, bottles, or containers where food mites have been stored
Remove any food debris that is still attached to the container so that the live mites don't get to eat. Wash the container and lid with boiling water and make sure they are completely dry before using it again.
Step 4. Thoroughly clean the cabinets where dry foodstuffs are stored
Use a vacuum cleaner to clean shelves, walls, and cupboard crevices. If you don't have a vacuum cleaner, use a clean, dry brush to clean the cabinets. Dispose of the vacuum cleaner bag in the trash outside the house as soon as you're done.
- Clean all surfaces. However, do not use chemical pesticides near food or food storage areas.
- Try using a vinegar-water solution (1 part vinegar and 2 parts water) or natural insect repellents and safe pesticides such as neem oil or citrus oil (1 part oil and 10 parts water) to clean cabinets.
- Use a hairdryer to dry the wardrobe. Flour mites like damp places.
Part 3 of 3: Preventing Flour Mites
Step 1. Keep food storage areas dry and cool
Flour mites cannot breed in environments with low humidity levels (below 65%) and there will be no mites if the storage area is well ventilated. Pay attention to the placement of kettles, cookware, dryers, and hobs; make sure not to cause moisture build-up in food storage areas.
Place a fan in the kitchen cabinets to cool the air and drain the moisture
Step 2. Store flour, grains, cereals, and other food that is susceptible to mites in a clean airtight container
Such containers keep food fresh and dry and prevent mites from entering. If any mites are still alive after the cleaning process, removing the mite's food source will starve the mites so they don't lay eggs.
- Plastic bag clips can only be used for a short period of time. Mites can make holes in plastic bags and reach the food inside. Store food in containers made of glass or thick plastic.
- The life cycle of the flour mite is 1 month. So, if you can keep all containers clean and tightly closed during that period of time, all remaining mites are sure to die.
- Do not mix new and old food ingredients in one container. Wait until the old flour has been used up, then clean the container so that there are no remnants of flour that are still attached. After that, the container can be used again to store new flour.
Step 3. Buy dry groceries in small quantities
While it may be a bit more expensive than buying in bulk, smaller quantities of groceries are likely to run out faster and won't last very long. If stored in a humid environment for too long, foodstuffs can get soggy and start to grow mold and cause mites to appear.
Check all dry food packaging before taking them home. Make sure that groceries sold in stores are not on damp/wet shelves and that there are no damp or damaged packaging
Step 4. Stick the bay leaf in the container or cupboard where the food is stored
Flour mites, cockroaches, moths, rats, weevils, and various other types of pests are believed to not like the smell of bay leaves so they will stay away from the container where the leaves are attached. Bay leaves can be affixed to the lid of the container or the inside of the food cupboard or put in a container. Don't worry, bay leaves used in this way won't change the taste of the food.
There is a debate whether it is better to use dried or fresh bay leaves. However, both have been reported to be effective. So, buy any bay leaf that is easily available and prove its effectiveness
Step 5. Store pet food in a place away from other dry food items
Pet food packaging rules are not as strict as ours so pet food is more likely to contain pests. Store pet food in airtight containers in a place away from our food.
