Pantry Hacks to Keep Pests Out of Your Ingredients

It’s time to make dinner. You go to your pantry and grab the bag of rice you bought the other day. As you pour it into a measuring cup, something unusual catches your eye; one of the grains seems to be moving. Look closer, and that’s when you realize: it’s not rice. It’s a tiny, white bug.

If you’ve ever experienced this, or something similar, you know the frustration and concern that comes with discovering pests in your food. Luckily, noticing them early can prevent illness and wasted ingredients. Getem Services has put together some simple pantry hacks to help you keep pests out of your food and ingredients.

Key Takeaways: Keep Pests Out of Your Pantry

• Pests such as cockroaches, rodents, ants, pantry pests, and flies are common in homes and can contaminate your food and other ingredients.

• Contaminated food can carry dangerous bacteria and parasites, such as Salmonella, E. coli, or tapeworms.

• Sealing food, cleaning regularly, and reducing moisture can help prevent infestations.

• Regular inspections and proper storage of ingredients are essential for keeping your family safe and saving money.

• Professional pest control, like Getem Services’ quarterly plan, can eliminate existing pests and prevent future problems.

The Pests You Might Find in Your Kitchen and Pantry

Some pests are more likely than others to invade your food and ingredients:

• Cockroaches
  Often enter from outside or via infested food or packages. Cockroaches nest in warm, humid areas and eat nearly anything.

• Rodents
  Typically, mice and rats move indoors in the fall, nesting in attics or behind appliances. They forage at dawn and dusk.

• Ants
  Foraging ants enter homes in search of food, and if they find it, they may alert the rest of the colony. Occasionally, they nest indoors near warm equipment.

• Pantry pests
  Usually come in infested food packages. They thrive on dry ingredients like flour, sugar, grains, and cereals, laying eggs that hatch larvae which feed on the food.

• Flies
  Enter through open doors/windows or infested food. They lay eggs on decaying matter and often appear in trash, sink drains, or rotting produce.

Why You Don’t Want Pests Getting Into Your Ingredients

“It’s gross” is reason enough, but there’s more. Pests can contaminate your food, putting your family at risk of illness. Pathogens like Salmonella, E. coli, and tapeworms can be transmitted through contaminated ingredients.

Once food is infested, the only option is to discard it, which can quickly add up financially. Preventing pests is far cheaper than replacing ruined food or dealing with illness.

Pantry Hacks to Keep Pests Out of Your Ingredients

Being proactive is key. Getem Services recommends the following steps to safeguard your pantry:

• Inspect grocery items for damaged packaging before purchase.

• Empty your pantry and wipe down or vacuum shelving regularly.

• Check all food items for signs of pests.

• Transfer paper or cardboard-packaged foods into hard plastic or glass containers with tight lids.

• Store all other food in sealed containers.

• Clean thoroughly after cooking, baking, and eating; wipe counters, wash dishes, rinse sinks, and vacuum floors.

• Take out trash regularly.

• Reduce moisture and humidity and repair leaks inside and outside.

• Maintain your lawn and landscaping by trimming the grass, cutting back foliage, and removing debris.

• Seal potential entry points into your home.

What to Do If You Find Pests in Your Kitchen

If you find pests in your food or home, take action immediately. The longer pests are allowed to remain, the larger the infestation becomes, increasing the risk of illness.

Getem Services offers comprehensive home pest control to keep your pantry, kitchen, and home pest-free. Our quarterly services are designed to eliminate and prevent house-infesting pests in Norfolk, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, and the Hampton Roads area. With over 100 years of local service, we have the experience needed to protect your food, family, and home. 

Contact us today to get started.