The holidays are nearly upon us, and this means many of us are spending more time than usual in the kitchen area. Avoiding any pest issues during holiday cooking and gatherings is important, and one particular area tends to be worth mentioning here: The pantry.
At Logan Extermination, we’re proud to offer a wide range of pest control services to clients around Logan, whether we’re talking about in-home pest control solutions like spider exterminators or services like insecticide spray, lawn care services and more. Here’s a rundown of a few of the most common pantry invaders you might deal with this time of year, plus some tips from our team on how to avoid them or remedy these issues if you’re noticing them (which we’re happy to assist with however needed).
Common Pantry Pests
Some of the most notable and common pests that may attempt to invade your pantry looking for food include:
- Indian grain moth: Also known as the Indian meal moth, this moth is often brought into homes in packaging or boxes of grains, cereal, rice or other dried goods. They are quite small and often difficult to spot until it’s too late.
- Weevils: Another pest that may be brought into homes in packaging, particularly flour and grain products. Weevils lay eggs inside these packages, producing small larvae that will feast on the food before turning into adult weevils.
- Cockroaches: Many people associate cockroaches with uncleanliness and filth, but they can also invade pantries looking for food sources. They are attracted to any type of food and can cause contamination if they get into your stored items.
- Other food-driven pests: There may also be a variety of other pests that can invade your pantry, such as rodents, ants or even termites looking for wood products.
Basic Behaviors
In most cases, some simple behavioral approaches around your pantry and kitchen will easily be enough to prevent these pests from invading. These include:
- Regular cleaning: Keeping your pantry clean and free of crumbs or spills is important, as pests are often attracted to these types of messes.
- Proper storage: Storing all dry goods in airtight containers can help keep pests out and prevent them from getting into the food.
- Inspecting packages: Before bringing any new food products into the pantry, inspect them carefully for signs of damage or infestation. If you notice anything suspicious, avoid buying the product altogether.
- Disposal: For any old products, finished grains or other foods, make sure to dispose of them properly and promptly. This will prevent pests from being attracted to your pantry.
Products to Consider
If the above approaches aren’t fully successful, there are also some products that tend to be most effective for preventing any pantry pest issues this holiday season:
- Traps: In areas where you’ve had issues with pantry pests before, set up traps near dry goods in the pantry. These can help catch any pests and prevent them from reproducing. Be sure to check and replace these traps regularly.
- Insecticides: If you’ve had issues with pests in the past and want to be proactive, consider using a non-toxic insecticide spray around your pantry shelves and other areas. This will create a barrier that can help prevent pests from entering.
- Insect growth regulators (IGRs): These are substances that mimic hormones in young insects, disrupting the way they develop and preventing them from reaching adulthood. IGRs are often used in combination with other methods for best results.
When to Consider Professional Assistance
For many minor cases involving pantry pests, these simple tips and products will be enough to keep your kitchen area clean and free of any intruders. However, if you’re noticing a larger infestation that you can’t seem to control on your own, or if you have specific questions about preventing pests this holiday season, we recommend contacting our team for professional assistance.
Professionals like ours at Logan Extermination can provide a thorough inspection of your Logan home and offer customized solutions for any pest control needs. Whether it’s setting up traps, using specialized products or providing education on how to prevent pests in the future, we have you covered.
Overall, with some simple proactive measures and professional assistance if needed, you can ensure that your holiday cooking and gatherings are free from unwanted pests. Don’t let these pesky intruders ruin your festivities – take the necessary steps to protect your pantry and enjoy a stress-free holiday season!
