We’ve all been there – you pull a bag of flour out of your pantry for a fun new recipe you found, only to see pests crawling around inside. Not only does this ruin your recipe, but it also signals the beginning of a much larger pantry pest issue. Pantry pests are annoying, but luckily, eliminating them is as easy as following these steps.
Removing the Pests
Begin by removing all of the pests from your pantry. The easiest way to do this is to toss anything you have that’s a dried good in a bag or container with a plastic lid. Even if you don’t see any pests, there can easily be some hiding along the lid or deeper inside the package, so it’s best to toss everything. Even one missed pest could lead to another full infestation, causing more money lost than if you just toss everything from the get-go. If there’s a more expensive item you’d really like to save, place it in the freezer for 2 days to kill any pests that may be present.
Eliminating Eggs and Larvae
Eggs and larvae are masters at hiding in the pantry. Begin the elimination process by vacuuming out the pantry. Use the hose attachment to get close to any corners and baseboards where eggs tend to be. Next, take out any shelves that can be removed and wash them with a mixture of hot soapy water to remove anything the vacuum missed. Finally, wiped down the entire pantry with a mix of water and vinegar to deter future pests from trying to come in. wiping down the pantry regularly with this water and vinegar mixture is a great way to ensure eggs aren’t left behind by pests just passing through.
Preventing Future Pests
Prevent future pests by removing any temptation that draws them in. No, that doesn’t mean not using the pantry! Invest in some sealable plastic containers and empty each item you’d normally place into the pantry in its own container. This way, pests won’t be drawn to the items and if they do show up, they can’t get into anything.
If pantry pests continue to show up even after following these steps, it might be time to call a professional. Try to keep the entire kitchen clean and the trash taken out to avoid letting any lingering eggs hatch into moths! Pantry pests are annoying, but you and a professional can work together to eliminate them forever in your home.