Avoid Bugs in the Pantry
If you haven’t used your baking supplies since Thanksgiving or Christmas, now is a good time to make sure your supplies are well sealed and don’t accidentally attract pantry pests. Expiry dates are an important aspect of maintaining the integrity of your ingredients. And the proper storage of things is equally important. If you have been a victim of pantry pests in the past, you know how easily this can happen. Maybe you haven’t used that Creole spice since you bought it in New Orleans 6 years ago, and now it’s feeding a family of bugs in the back of the cabinet. Or maybe you were in a hurry the last time you baked your flour or sugar and now there are moths in the kitchen. Kids dipping into the Oreo bin and not closing the container before putting it back on the shelf is a great way to get ants. It just happens… Whom. This.
The first step to getting rid of any pest problem is proper identification. Know what to look for. Know what you’re looking at when you see them. You can avoid pantry pests with a little science lesson. We’ve highlighted some of the most common cabinet pests in the table below. Click on the pest name for more information on each.
Catching Pantry Pests
One of the best ways to avoid bugs in your pantry is to practice good sanitation. Wipe down your counters with a disinfectant cleaner. Sweep and vacuum food residue from floors, pantries and cupboards. When you’re at the grocery store, double-check that all of your merchandise is well-sealed and free of rodent bite marks or any other signs of pest tampering. All of this may sound really simple, but it’s not necessarily common knowledge. Below you will find additional top tips for keeping pests away.
- Check the ingredients in the store before buying to make sure there are no holes or tears in the packaging. Sift items before using at home.
- Store pantry items in sealed, airtight containers.
- Use hot, soapy water to wash cabinets, wipe crumbs off counters, sweep crumbs off the floor, and vacuum.
- Look for cracks and holes around the pantry and seal them with steel wool or silicone.
Did you know that mice prefer chocolate to peanut butter?
Can you see the difference?
There are definitely some unwanted pantry pests in the pictures below, but can you spot the differences in the two pictures?
Valentine’s Day Cookies
For a sweeter note! Now that you’ve checked all your ingredients and your cupboards are pest free… let’s make a sweet treat! Click the image below for complete directions for this adorable, holiday-inspired snack. And don’t forget to clean everything up and keep it safe when you’re done! Tag us to show us how your ladybugs turned out!
Healthy Home Care Program
Sanitation goes a long way in preventing pest problems; especially pantry pests. The Healthy Home Care Program (HHMP), our most popular residential pest service is the gold standard in home pest control and prevention. This ultimate protection package includes four scheduled visits every three months to ensure the peace and security that comes from a pest-free home. We are 100% committed to our services and their 24/7/365 protection, so we will resolve any issues that arise between scheduled visits at no cost to you. That’s right, we’ll get out for free.
Call us today at 1-800-GOT-PESTS? building something so you can get back to celebrating the holidays without the invasion of winter pests.
