A Word on Food: How to Prevent Pantry Pests
Don’t you just love Halloween baking traditions? They’re some of the most precious moments you spend with your family!
You also get to make gigantic gingerbread houses or cool Halloween treats, and hand them out to all the kids who come knocking. You feel like nothing can ruin that festive cheer, that is until a bug pops up in your pantry.
Now you’re probably thinking: my house is spotless. But you don’t need an untidy kitchen for this to happen. These bugs can be carried into your house along with food, among many other vectors. So you need to take preventive measures to minimize the risk of an infestation.
Buy Airtight Containers
Good-quality airtight containers will help you significantly contain the problem, while also adding a unique aesthetic to your pantry. Mason jars work beautifully for storing grains and other food that can’t be stored in the fridge.
Use a Bay Leaf
Bay leaves repel pests due to their pungent smell. So if you add a few to the shelf or dry food canisters, you’ll be keeping your food safe from pests.
Inspect Your Groceries
Since most pests are brought home inside your grocery bags, it’s imperative to inspect them before storing them in your pantry.
A better idea is to inspect them before even putting them inside your cart at the grocery store. If any item shows a sign of damage, leave it. For the products which are already in your house, inspect them visually to ensure that they’re free from an infestation.
Clear out Spills and Remove Trash
Keep your kitchen and pantry spotless. This means you need to discard of any trash, as it may be contaminated, and clear out all the crumbs and spills. The longer you leave it in your house, the more likely an infestation is. Pests get attracted by the food you so graciously leave out for them.
Seal Cracks
Seal any cracks that may serve as entry points for pests, like water pipes and stovepipes. Additionally, treat any damp sites, as they’re ideal breeding grounds for pests—like clogged drains and pipe leaks.
If you’ve covered all of the above and still face this problem, call us and get our licensed pest control professionals in Columbus, OH to inspect and treat the problem. Control the problem before the situation gets worse!
