How To Prevent Pests In Your Pantry
Opening up your pantry in search of a delectable snack and instead discovering an infestation of pests is probably one of the most horrifying and disappointing experiences a person can have. Worse yet, if pests have been lurking in your pantry, you may have to throw out some groceries. Pretty much a nightmare scenario, right? Fortunately, there are some steps homeowners can take to protect their pantries and beloved snacks from suffering a pest infestation. Use the following tips from Champion Termite and Pest Control, Inc. to prevent pests from raiding your pantry.
Contact our pest control company today to schedule a free pest inspection or learn more about our pest control services!
Store Food In Airtight Containers
When a person purchases foodstuffs, be it snacks or ingredients, it’ll likely come in a paperboard box or plastic bag. Unfortunately, such packaging is notoriously easy for pests such as grain weevils to chew through and doesn’t adequately seal in attractive food scents. Moving food over into plastic, glass, or metal storage containers with airtight lids is a much safer alternative to keeping them in their store-bought boxes. Large mason jars, in particular, are a popular and practical choice of airtight storage containers.
Toss Expired Food
Simply making a routine of checking the expiration date on foods around the house can prove to be an effective way of preventing pest infestations. Typically, it’s ideal for homeowners to check pantries and cupboards for expired foods and toss them out at least once a week. As foods grow old, they become more odorous and ultimately attract pests, so don’t keep them in your house for too long.
Clean Up Messes Regularly
This one may seem obvious, but it’s essential nonetheless — clean up messes as they happen. A few crumbs or a small spill may not seem like a big deal at the time, but leaving food residue to sit will inevitably attract pests. The last thing you want to do is lead them closer to your pantry by leaving messes in the kitchen. Also, wiping down cupboards and pantry shelves fairly often will help clean out hard-to-see crumbs and remove trace scents of food.
Set Out Bay Leaves
Bay leaves are a tasty, aromatic spice that make for perfect garnishes in many dishes. Better yet, bay leaves are an effective form of natural pest control as they are reasonably adequate insect deterrents! In particular, they help fend off pests such as ants, weevils, cockroaches, moths, and flies. All you have to do is place a few bay leaves in your pantry and remember to change them out with fresh ones every few weeks and you’re set.
Inspect Groceries
Always inspect your groceries before storing them in the pantry. One of the most common ways pests gain entry into our kitchen pantries is merely by hitching a ride on groceries. Therefore, it’s recommended to thoroughly examine your groceries for signs of pests, such as packaging damage, before bringing them into your home.
Worried pests have already infested your kitchen pantry? Contact Champion Termite and Pest Control, Inc. today to schedule pest removal!
