Get Rid of Pests in Your Pantry
Filed under: Pest Control
It can happen unexpectedly. You reach into your pantry to grab a few things for meal prep and notice a fast scurrying cockroach dashing for deep cover. Ick! Or maybe it’s an army of ants hefting off crumbs of your animal cracker stash in coordinated formation. Grain weevils, flour beetles, meal moths, fruit flies, you name it –they too are known to take up residence in your kitchen and food storage areas.
With all of these critters indulging themselves on your pantry foods, what can be done? And how can you get rid of them when they do find their way in? Fortunately, there are plenty of things you can do to defend your territory from freeloading pests. Here are the basics you need to know:
Know Your Enemy
If you have an infestation of unidentified insects wreaking pantry havoc, find out what they are. This will help you find the right treatment solutions. From there, you can research their strengths and weaknesses, likes and dislikes, and ways to be rid of them.
Take ‘Em Out
Pantry pests can be hard to eliminate, mostly because some can be easily overlooked. Your best chance of eradication is to hire a pest control professional that knows pests common to this area. However, you may be able to do it yourself following these basic steps:
- Throw away any foods that are already infested. Bag and seal them before they are disposed of.
- Clean the entire pantry top to bottom. Remove everything, inspecting all of it for signs of infestation. Vacuum the space thoroughly, including cracks and corners for pests, pupae, and eggs. Dump the vacuum contents outside, in a plastic bag. Seal and dispose.
- Wipe and wash down the pantry with a food-safe disinfecting soap or cleaner. If you choose to use pest control products, make sure they are safe and appropriate for food storage areas, humans, and pets.
Call the Pros
If you need the help of a professional to rid your pantry of an infestation, call Riche’s Termite and Pest Service at (951) 233-7697. Our pest control experts will make short work of your unwanted insect houseguests.
