Going to bake something in the kitchen and open a bag of flour to find the whole bag crawling with bugs is a huge disappointment to say the least. There are several insects and worms that will infiltrate your pantry if they are given the opportunity. These creepy crawlies are every cook’s worst nightmare. A-Tex Pest Management is here to talk about some steps you can take to hopefully help you avoid this problem and help you keep your kitchen pest free.
Store Flour & Other Ingredients in Airtight Container
One of the best and most bullet proof ways that you can ensure your food doesn’t get invaded by pantry pests, is to invest in some good air-tight containers. Most of the bugs that you will find in your pantry food will have the ability to chew their way through any sort of paper or cardboard packaging that your food comes in. It is worth the investment to have air-tight containers that they have no chance of getting into.
Don’t Buy Food in Bulk Unless You Will Use It
When you’re buying food in bulk, you want to make sure it isn’t going to be sitting in your pantry for a long period of time. The longer the food is sitting in the pantry, the more likely it is to fall victim to pest problems. It may be tempting to purchase certain items in bulk when they are on sale, but you need to consider how long they will be sitting on your shelf before making the purchase.
Inspect Packaged Food for Bugs
There are several grocers that offer grocery pickup now, which has revolutionized grocery shopping for many people. This offer is a huge time-saver. However, it is more important than ever to give your groceries a good inspection before you are putting them in your car. If there is any sign of damaged packaging, you should be leery of putting it in your car. If you are bringing home pests, they can end up taking over all the food on your shelves before you figure it out.
Adhere to Expiration Dates & Shelf Life
There are expiration dates on your pantry goods for a reason. Expiration dates don’t only refer to foods that need to be stored in the refrigerator. Foods that are stored on your pantry shelves were never made to sit there for years either. All of your food has an expiration date, and it’s important to honor them. If you have had certain ingredients sitting in your pantry for several years, it may be time to toss it.
Pantry Pest Inspections, Control & More in Round Rock, Leander, Pflugerville, Cedar Park & Austin Texas
If you have found that your pantry is infiltrating with pantry pests like weevils, flour mites, pantry moths and more, you may need to call on the pest professionals at A-Tex Pest Management to help you get rid of them for good. We can help arm you against these pests that can cause you to throw away hundreds of dollars in dried goods. Call us today!
