Did you know that there is such a thing as pantry pests; it’s a real term. As you may suspect, these are the pests that invade the pantry in your home, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. They are not the sort of house guest that you want to have. This is why preventing them from making a home in your pantry in the first place is ideal.
It’s also why you need to find out more about professional help, if an infestation starts to take over. So, what steps can you take to make it less likely that you will encounter a drugstore beetle, or any other pantry pest, in your home?
Making a pantry pest problem less likely
The most important factor in preventing a pest problem is making sure that the pantry in your home is well-organized and clean. Pests tend to stay away from places where they are not able to find easy access to food and shelter. Here are the steps to take, to make sure that your pantry is not attractive to pests.
- Empty everything out of the pantry, so that you are starting with a clean slate.
- Clear debris off the shelves and then wipe them down with disinfectant.
- Wipe down the pantry walls, and clean the floor, with disinfectant. The larvae of pests like the Indian meal moth tend to gather in corners, so make sure that you clean thoroughly.
- Check all packaging for damage. Remember that not all damage is as obvious as that caused by mice, so inspect packaging carefully.
- Use plastic or glass containers, with tight lids, to store pantry products. These containers are less prone to pest problems than cardboard, paper or plastic packaging.
- Once the cleaning is complete, refill the shelves. Do not place items too close together. Leaving gaps, and having a tidy storage pattern, makes it more difficult for pests to hide from view.
Maintaining a pest free pantry
Once you have cleared out the pantry, you need to maintain it as a pest free zone. This includes being sensible about what you stock you buy and how you use products. Make sure that you use older products first and try not to buy too much of one thing. The longer an item spends in a pantry, the more susceptible it is to pests.
Check the pantry regularly for the presence of pests. If you spot any signs, you may want to repeat the process of clearing the area and cleaning it. This should help you to get rid of any pests that are present. If you find that the problem is persisting, and pests are becoming a real issue, you can click here to find out more about seeking help from a professional. They can call to your home and carry out a pest inspection prior to getting rid of any pests that are present.