Prevention Tips For a Pest-Free Pantry This Holiday Season

As bakers across the country gear up for a busy season full of cookies, cakes, and other baked goods, it’s important to remember there are pests out there who enjoy feasting on holiday treats just as much as us humans do. Cowleys Pest Services, a Pest Control company that has been servicing Monmouth, Ocean, Middlesex, and Mercer County for 30 years, with help from the National Pest Management Association, is urging homeowners to take extra steps to ensure pantries and baking ingredients are pest-free.  

“Although the holidays might look a little different this year, pests remain problematic. Pantry pests such as Indian meal moths and beetles can easily enter your home through cardboard boxes or paper bags brought in from the grocery store,” said Bill Cowley, Co-Owner of Cowleys Pest Services. “As you start to dig out your baking ingredients, be sure to thoroughly inspect your food products before using them and dispose of any that have been infested. When shopping for any new items at the store, inspect all packaging and refrain from purchasing anything with visible holes or damage.”  

Cowleys Pest Services and the NPMA have identified the following ways to protect pantry goods from hungry pests: 

• Store ingredients in plastic or glass containers with an airtight seal
• Inspect boxes and bags at the grocery store for any damage or holes
• Dispose of any expired ingredients or products that have been stored for a long period of time
• Keep kitchen counters, floors and sinks clean as crumbs and spills can attract pests
• Dispose of garbage regularly in a sealed receptacle
• Don’t forget Fido! Be sure to inspect pet food as well for signs of pests
• To avoid an infestation, give us a call at 732-897-9553 for assistance