Pantry pests get their name from their chosen place of residence: the pantry. Many pests are known to haunt kitchen pantries from time to time, but there are a few which are particularly adamant about living amongst our cereal and bread crumbs, such as various types of grain beetles, flour weevils, and Indian meal moths. Considering that pantries house the foods that we eat, it’s important that we let these bugs and insects know that they are not available for rent. Therefore, here are some ways to keep them out.
Keep Your Packages Sealed
One of the best ways to keep pests out of your pantry is to make sure you’re not encouraging them to come inside in the first place. This means that if you have open containers, boxes or bags, you may be inadvertently enticing them. Seal up everything in your kitchen that contains food, and you may be able to stop your problem before it starts.
Clean Your Pantries
It’s also a good idea to keep your pantries as clean as you can. Pests are tiny, and even the smallest crumbs or particles of sugar are enough to keep them satisfied. Therefore, every couple of months, remove every item from your pantries and clean them with a soapy rag. For an extra precaution, you can also mix vinegar and water and spray the solution around your pantries’ surface area. This works great to deter pantry pests. Other natural deterrents include basil, ground chili pepper, cinnamon and cloves. Also, even if you’re not doing a full clean, wipe away all the crumbs as soon as you can if you spill something.
Check Your Food Before You Buy
Lastly, when you’re grocery shopping, don’t buy any packages that are ripped or look as if they’ve been opened. Not only will a tear make it difficult for you to keep your containers sealed in your home, but other pests may have already snuck in without you knowing. Even if you can’t see any pests in the food, they may still be contaminated with hundreds of disease-causing germs. Don’t take the chance; only buy packages that are closed airtight.
If there’s one place in your home you want to keep clean, it’s your pantry. Fortunately, with just a little bit of effort, it can be a simple matter. For more information, or to receive quality pest control services, contact Harbor Pest Control today.