Pests are naturally attracted to places where they can find food. This means your kitchen—and more specifically, your pantry—is a potential hotspot for pest infestations.
Let’s take a look at how you can manage your pantry effectively to prevent pests from invading.
Airtight Containers
The first step toward protecting your pantry from pest invasions is to store all of your food in airtight containers to prevent pests from detecting them and infesting your cupboard. Bags are often not a sufficient preventative measure, as rodents in particular are very adept at chewing through them.
Well-sealed plastic or glass containers with tight lids are your best defence against determined pests. Vacuum-sealed bags are also effective at eliminating any odours from seeping out that could attract pests.
Regular Cleaning
Another thing that will attract pests to your pantry is spilt food, crumbs, or sticky residue. Regularly cleaning these messes in your pantry will ensure that these sources of attraction are properly eliminated, as pests won’t be able to find easy food sources.
Habitually wipe down pantry shelves and sweep the floor around the pantry regularly, particularly in corners and edges where crumbs collect. Any expired food or dirty jars and containers that have drips and crumbs around the lids should also be dealt with as soon as possible.
Seal Cracks and Gaps
Another way to deter pests from entering your pantry is to seal any cracks or gaps you may find, especially where the walls meet the cupboards and around the doors and windows. You can seal these entry points using caulk or weather stripping.
Although this isn’t a completely foolproof method, it can deter many pests from gaining access that otherwise would be able to get in.
Use the First-In-First-Out (FIFO) Method
If you use the FIFO method, you can ensure that older food items are consumed first, reducing the likelihood of food expiring and attracting pests. By switching up your food, you can stop forgotten expired items from turning into an insect breeding ground.
As you restock your pantry, move older items forward so they are used first, placing the new items behind them. Also, always be sure to check expiration dates and throw away anything that has expired.
If you’ve tried everything discussed in this blog post and are still struggling to keep your pantry free of pests, then it’s time you called in the professionals to deal with the problem once and for all. Contact Enviro-Safe today to get expert pest control assistance.