Important Prevention Tips to Keep Your Pantry Pest-Free
The easiest control is prevention. Halting pantry pests before they invade, settle in, and raise their families in our foods is a lot easier than trying to evict them.
- Before purchasing packaged foods, inspect them for damage or punctures, especially in cereals, pasta, dried fruits, and pet food. Avoid buying in bulk unless you'll consume it quickly, as prolonged storage increases the risk of infestation.
- Rotate food stocks regularly to prevent infestations from forgotten, opened packages. Store non-refrigerated foods in tightly sealed containers, particularly pet food, to deter pantry pests from accessing them.
- To prevent pantry pests from entering your home, ensure it's well-maintained. Install good screening on windows, caulk around doorframes, and seal gaps under exterior doors. Keep kitchen walls, ceilings, and floors free of cracks and holes where pests can hide and lay eggs.
- Adequate ventilation in storage areas to minimize mold and mildew growth is important. Keep your kitchen cool and dry and, if possible, ventilate your cupboards. Many pantry pests require a humid environment. Packets of silica gel on pantry shelves can help hold moisture down.
- Store susceptible foods in tight containers – especially foods that will sit for long periods of time without being disturbed. Immediately remove spilled food products from storage areas and replace torn or damaged storage containers immediately. Vacuum the insides of your cupboards at regular intervals to pick up crumbs. Don’t overlook the undersides of shelves; they are often the site of hanging cocoons.
For help with pantry pests, rely on the pest control professionals at Cowleys Pest Services. Our services are available in Edison, Somerset, Lakewood, Millstone Township, Colts Neck, Little Silver, Sayreville, Howell and nearby New Jersey.
Looking for a price? Get a no cost, no obligation free estimate.