Keeping pests out of your pantry in the Kansas City metro area can save you money and protect your food. Here are 7 tips for pest proofing your pantry:
1. Keep Food In Sealable Containers
- Keep food in airtight containers. Pests can’t get to your food if it’s sealed up tight.
- Keep food in its original packaging as much as possible, and if you have to take them out of the packaging, put them back into something airtight when you’re done using them.
- Keep your dry goods dry and cool: If you store flour in your pantry, keep it in a container with a lid so that any moisture or humidity won’t ruin it. If it’s damp or humid where you live (or even just too hot), consider storing your dry goods somewhere else like below the sink or behind some other cabinet where they are out of the way but still accessible when needed!
2. Clean Up Spills And Crumbs Right Away
Spills and crumbs attract pests, so clean up spills as soon as they happen. Spills can also rot and mold, which can attract pests. Clean up spills with a disinfectant spray or wipe to prevent the growth of bacteria that could make you sick.
3. Store Dry Goods In The Refrigerator Or Freezer
You can also store dry goods like flour and sugar in the refrigerator or freezer. If you have a large number of dry goods that need to be stored, this is the best option because it will prevent pests from getting into them.
If you don’t have room for storing these items in your refrigerator, consider using airtight containers such as jars or plastic tubs with lids that seal tightly. If you use jars, put some wax paper between layers so they don’t stick together when they come out of the jar later on.
You should check your pantry regularly for signs of pests such as webs or rodent droppings around food packages, holes chewed through bags or boxes (especially if it has happened recently), and bugs on top of food products themselves—if any of these occur then immediately throw away all affected items as well as anything near them so no other bugs get into contact with any potential food sources outside their immediate area!
4. Store Your Pet Food In A Sealable Container
A big step in pest-proofing your pantry is to store all of your pet food in a sealable container. If it’s not sealed up, pests will be able to get into it and make themselves at home. Store the containers that are for human consumption in an area that is inaccessible to pests, but keep those for pets in a place where they can easily be accessed by them when they need something to eat.
Keep in mind that you should never leave pet food out overnight or when you’re not home; this is how many pantry pests gain entrance into homes!
5. Regularly Wash Floors, Countertops, And Pantry Shelves
- Wash floors, countertops, and pantry shelves regularly.
- Use a disinfectant to clean up any spills on the floor.
- Use a vacuum cleaner to clean up crumbs that fall down into corners or along the back of your pantry shelves.
- Wipe down all surfaces with a wet cloth in between deep cleans.
6. Check Packaging When You Bring Groceries Home
When you bring groceries home, don’t just place them in your pantry. Be sure to check the packaging for holes or tears and make sure that the expiration date hasn’t passed. If any of your purchases have been opened or damaged, return them immediately to ensure that they haven’t already been infested by pests.
You should also be aware of any food recalls—these can happen when a product has been linked with an illness, or it may have been contaminated by pests during manufacturing (for example, salmonella).
7. Call A Pest Professional To Rid Your Pantry Of Pests
While you can take the steps above to clean up your pantry and prevent pests, it may be necessary to call a pest control company if you have a serious infestation. If you’ve tried DIY tactics and are still dealing with ongoing problems, it might be time to bring in the pros. They will know exactly how to get rid of the pests in your pantry.
Keeping Pests Out Of Your Pantry Can Save You Money And Protect Your Food
Pests can be a serious problem in many parts of the United States which includes the Kansas City metro area, especially during the summer months. They can cause damage to personal property, spread diseases, cause allergies and ruin your food. Pests also represent a fire hazard if they chew through electrical wires or set off smoke alarms with their nests.
You don’t have to put up with these pests when it comes to protecting yourself and your belongings from damage caused by them—you just need to make sure that you keep them out of your pantry! For this to happen though, we must first learn how these unwanted intruders get into our homes so that we know what kind of barriers we need between them and us once they arrive on the scene.
Conclusion
Keeping pests out of your pantry can save you money and protect your food. By taking the time to follow these tips, you’ll be able to keep pests from ruining all that hard work.
Speak with a live Gunter Pest & Lawn representative today about our Pest Control Services by calling 816-444-2847 or using our contact form and we will help you with your residential or commercial pest control needs.
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Lawn Care — Rodents — Cockroaches — Termites — Bed Bugs
