What Happens if You Eat Spice Bugs? Tackle Pantry Pests with Vulcan Termite & Pest Control
Everyone knows that seasoning can make or break a dish, but a lesser-known fact is that plenty of insects agree. By that, we mean that some bugs can wiggle their way into your pantry and camp in your chili powder, cumin, paprika, and other spices.
If you find spice bugs in your pantry, it doesn’t necessarily mean you aren’t cleaning your kitchen correctly. It is likely that at some point, you’ve consumed tiny critters in spices at a restaurant, event, your house, or someone else’s house—all while being none the wiser.
The idea of accidentally eating bugs may haunt you, so we’re writing this blog to help. Keep reading for our answers to your questions, including: What happens if you eat spice bugs?
Why Do Spices Get Bugs in Them?
Imported Spices
As we mentioned in the introduction, having spice bugs shouldn’t make you self-conscious about the quality and frequency of your kitchen cleaning. You’re more likely to have spice bugs because there were bugs in your spices when you bought them that you didn’t know about.
Spices have long been an international trade good, and many of the spices we buy from the grocery store here in the US are imported from other countries. It is not uncommon for a species of bug attracted to a particular spice to find its way into a batch between the many processes, warehouses, and vehicles spices pass through before you pick them up at the store.
The FDA estimates that ~10% of spice imports contain some variety of insect parts (or whole insects).
Spices that Bugs Love
Even if your spices made it to your home bug-free, they can find their way in, especially if they can fly up into your kitchen pantry/cabinets.
“Spicy” spices made from peppers—like cayenne and paprika—are the most likely to attract insects (and the largest variety of spice bug species), as entomologists say they tend to have the most nutrient availability and can support the needs of more than one generation of insects.
There’s a large variety of spice bugs out there, but they are not all created equal; most types are attracted to specific spices. Here are a few examples of bugs with specific and non-specific tastes in spices:
- Cigarette Beetles
- Drugstore Beetles
- Weevils
What Happens if You Eat Spice Bugs?
If you accidentally eat spice bugs, there are different effects it could have on you.
For the most part, eating spice bugs themselves won’t poison you (unless it’s a poisonous type of bug, but that isn’t likely because most bugs detest spicy substances). However, the problem with eating spice bugs is that their presence indicates other harmful contamination to your spices.
Spice companies each have their own guidelines on contamination and safety. Some have extensive processes to keep their spices clean, while others, who usually have spice bugs in their products, also allow other forms of contamination, including salmonella.
It’s also important to mention that once bugs are in your spices, they’re not just hanging out. They’re defecating, mating, and laying eggs.
Ultimately, it is best to avoid eating spice bugs by checking your spices (if they’re moving, that’s a sign) and being careful with the brands you purchase.
How Do I Avoid Eating Spice Bugs?
- Only buy spices from brands that have strict regulations to prevent contamination.
- Before using a spice for the first time or after it has sat unused for a while, sift and inspect for insect body parts, whole insects, eggs, larvae, and pupae. If you find any of these things, throw the spice away.
- Store your spices in air-tight, glass containers without shaker tops (they can crawl through the tiny holes).
When Should I Call Pest Control?
Although the above tips should be helpful for a contaminated plastic container of spice or two, you shouldn’t hesitate to call a pest professional if you have an infestation of any type of bug or a recurring spice bug problem.
Birmingham’s Favorite Pest Pros
Are spice bugs plaguing your property? Vulcan Termite & Pest Control is here to help.
For 40+ years, our crew of integrative pest management professionals has proudly aided hundreds of families in Birmingham and nearby communities in Northern Central Alabama by investigating and solving pest problems on their property.
Call (205) 663-4200 or contact us online today, and we’ll gladly perform a FREE evaluation and create and implement an effective strategy using our tried-and-true methods so you and your family can enjoy a pest-free home.