Eliminate Pantry Pests

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Packaged foods in your pantry can attract pests such as moths, weevils, and small beetles. The good news is that although annoying, they are not dangerous; they won’t bite or sting you or damage your home. Getting rid of these pests is not hard, but it does take time.

 

Where do they come from?

These unwelcome guests can be found in even the most spotless home. Pests often hitch a ride in your food at the grocery store, during delivery, or at the processing plant or warehouse.

 

What foods attract pests?

Nearly any dried food that is stored at room temperature can be a draw, such as grains, cereals, beans, dried fruits, nuts, and spices. Open packages that aren’t sealed well are prime targets, because they allow easy entry. However, many insects can chew their way into unopened packages as well.

 

There’s a bug in my flour.

If you find a bug in a product, throw the entire package away and check the food stored near it. If you don’t spot anything in the other packages or elsewhere in the pantry, the bug was probably an isolated incident, and the other foods are fine to keep. If you want to be extra-cautious, freeze any potentially affected products for three to four days. This will kill any eggs or insects.

 

The bugs are everywhere.

If you find insects in multiple places, empty your pantry completely and vacuum the shelves, floor, and corners, then wash everything with soapy water. Do not apply bleach, ammonia or pesticides – these chemicals won’t prevent a future infestation and can be dangerous if they come in contact with food. Before returning food to the pantry, thoroughly check that each package is undamaged and uncontaminated.

 

Keep the bugs out.

The longer a product sits in your pantry, the more likely it is to become infested, so buy small packages you can use in two to four months. Avoid buying packages that have dents, holes or scratches, and follow the “first in, first out” rule when using food. It’s also helpful to transfer grains, cereals, etc. into glass, metal, or sturdy plastic containers with airtight lids. These containers keep insects out much better than cardboard, paper, or foil. Thoroughly clean your pantry every three to six months, which will help you stay organized and keep pests at bay.

 

Ewww! I think I ate a bug.

If you’ve just enjoyed a nice meal and spot a critter in your pasta package, don’t worry. Pantry pests aren’t poisonous, and accidentally ingesting a bug won’t hurt you.

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Keep Nuisance Wildlife in the Wild

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As human populations continue to grow and move into traditional wildlife habitat, human/wildlife contact is becoming more prevalent. This poses a danger to human life and property as wild animals such as birds, squirrels, opossums, skunks, raccoons, and bats can damage your home and expose you to infectious diseases.

Fortunately, keeping nuisance animals out of your house can be easier than getting rid of them after they have invaded your home. The key to wild animal control is blocking their potential points of access and removing their preferred sources of food, water, and shelter.

Here are some easy prevention tips to follow:

Eliminate openings
Close all openings under and into your home. Animals look for places to den and raise their young – don’t give them that opportunity. Make sure that uncapped chimneys, broken vents and other openings along rooflines are screened, covered or repaired as applicable.

Cover the trash
Keep trash inside until the morning of trash pick-up or place trash in an animal-proof container, such as a trashcan with latches on the lids.

Keep bird feeders out of reach
Make sure bird feeders are only accessible by birds. Squirrels, raccoons, opossums and even bears are drawn to birdseed. Homeowners should also place birdbaths where small animals cannot reach them. Birdbaths and fountains may attract wildlife to the property, especially in areas where water is scarce.

Clean up the yard
Clear overhanging tree limbs and branches, which may be providing wildlife access to structures. A good rule of thumb is to keep vegetation at least six to eight feet from the house. Do not leave brush, leaf piles or other debris in the yard, as these materials make the ideal harborage site for small animals. Also, make sure that firewood is stored at least 20 feet from the house and is on a rack off of the ground.

If you encounter nuisance wildlife on your property, it’s extremely important to contact a pest control professional instead of attempting to trap and remove the animal on your own. Amco Ranger’s pest control professionals know how to remove nuisance animals and keep them from coming back.