Small insects flying in the kitchen near rice, flour and spices usually come from infested stored food in the cupboard, not from outside. What matters is knowing which insect it is, so you know where to look for the source.
Which insect is flying in your kitchen?
| What you see | Most likely | Source |
|---|---|---|
| A small grey moth with copper wingtips, flying in zigzags at night | Pantry moth | Flour, rice, nuts, pet food, with silk threads and webbing |
| A small brown beetle 2 to 3 mm flying towards windows and light | Drugstore or cigarette beetle | Spices, herbs, tea, biscuits, pet food |
| A dark insect with a snout making short flights | Rice or grain weevil | Rice, wheat, whole grains |
| A tiny fly with red eyes around fruit | Fruit fly | Ripe fruit, rubbish, juice |
| A small fuzzy fly on the wall near the sink | Drain fly | The drain |
For details on each, see Pantry and Flour Moths, Drugstore and Cigarette Beetles and Fruit Flies in the Kitchen.
How to find the source
- Empty the food cupboard completely.
- Open every bag and container and check for live insects, worms, threads, clumps, fine dust or holes.
- Do not forget: spices, herbs, tea, nuts, old sweets, cat and bird food, and dried decorations.
- Check the cupboard corners and hinges, where larvae go to pupate.
How to get rid of them
- Throw away infested food in a sealed bag outside the house.
- Freeze suspect but sound food for 4 days to a week.
- Vacuum the cupboard, wipe it with soap and water and let it dry.
- Store food in airtight containers of glass or strong plastic.
- Use a sticky light trap in the kitchen to catch flying insects and show you when the problem is over.
Caution: never spray insecticide on food or inside containers. Insecticide is only for cupboard cracks from the outside after emptying it.
Products from Orkida
- Actellic 50 EC by Syngenta (for stores and warehouses)
- K-Othrine dust
- ProCatch ELITE sticky light trap
- Catchmaster glue boards
Flying kitchen insect FAQs
Do weevils fly?
Yes, rice weevils can fly short distances, which is why you may find them on a wall or window. See Weevils in Rice.
Why do the insects come back after cleaning?
Because there is another source not yet found, such as an old spice packet, pet food, or larvae in cupboard hinges.
Is a light trap enough?
No. The trap catches flying insects and helps you monitor, but the real solution is removing the source and cleaning the cupboard.