There are a variety of pests that will specifically attack your pantry. They are generally attracted to the warmth of the space and the food that is available for them to eat. Of course, they are not desirable and you need to take steps to prevent them from getting into your pantry.
However, if you do have an issue it is time to find out more info about your local pest control company as they will eradicate the issue for you.
Common Pantry Pests
Before you start preventing pests from coming in you need to know what you are dealing with. The most common pantry pests are:
Fruit Flies
Flies are generally attracted to sugar. This isn’t just decaying fruit, anything with sugar in appeals to them.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches are incredibly tough and get everywhere. They are actually attracted to cardboard and wood, which means they may leave your food alone, but not your pantry.
Beetles
There are several types of beetles that can make their way into your pantry. This includes grain beetles and flour beetles. They will eat the flour, cereals, and other grains you have stored in the pantry.
Weevils
Weevils are particularly keen on seeds, beans, and whole grains. Paper packaging won’t keep them out and they can consume a surprising amount.
Preventing Them From Entering Your Pantry
You are going to need to empty your pantry in order to prevent these pantry pests from returning.
By emptying it you’ll be able to clean all the surfaces in the pantry with soap and water. If you prefer, you can use a disinfectant spray. This will remove all traces of food and the attraction to pantry pests.
But, this is only the start!
You also need to look at the food you are storing in the pantry. Anything that could be a target of pantry pests needs to be kept in a sealed container. This is especially important if the packet has been opened.
It’s best to use plastic or metal containers that are airtight
Alongside this, before you return the food to your cupboard, you should look all around it carefully. If you find any gaps they should be sealed immediately. In addition, netting should be put over any vents and you’ll want to add sweeper brushes to the bottom of the pantry door.
The above makes the pantry less attractive to pests and makes it difficult for them to get in.
But, you also need to check your shopping before you put it away. You never know when a pantry pest could be hiding on a food packet or your clothes. Once they are in the pantry they can be hard to get rid of. That’s why most people rely on specialist help.
An extra tactic that can help is Bay leaves. Most pests don’t like the aroma that these leaves give off. You can, therefore, place a few in your pantry to help keep the pests away.