This something we easily put out of mind until it shows up. I solve most of my problems by always having some form of a freezer to hand and using it to store flours and processed grains. They do not go rancid quite so quickly and bugs can not move in. This allows you to buy bulk lots as well and that has often meant getting ten kilos of oatmeal.
Too much in your pantry is always a problem and open containers are never a good idea. Again large bottles can solve most of that.
The take home is that pest management is an ongoing activity that must be maintained.
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How to prevent pests in your pantry
Tags: bugs, cleaning, extermination, food, Food storage, home and life, house pests, how to, infestation, insects, pantry pests, pest control, preparedness, prepper, prepping, prevention, preventive measures, sanitation
https://www.naturalnews.com/2018-06-24-how-to-prevent-pests-in-your-pantry.html
(Natural News)
Dealing with pantry pests – or any pest for that matter – can often be a
pain for everyone. There are even times when they seem to just reappear
a couple of days after you have cleaned your pantry. The truth is,
pests will always find their way back to your food storage.
Infestation can begin anywhere – it may come from the processing
plant, the food warehouse, the delivery truck, or in the grocery or
retail store where you purchased the item. Chances of pests crawling
into your food storage increase the longer you store food inside the
cupboard. What’s more frustrating is how hard it is to spot them when
they’re still in their larval stage which makes disposal harder. (h/t to
TheOrganicPrepper.com)
Getting rid of pantry pests
No matter how stubborn these pests are, there are still some preventive ways you can do at home.
Don’t overstock – As ideal as it is to have an
emergency supply, you’re only inviting pests to come crawling into your
storage. At times, even unopened boxes may house pests and they thrive
by chewing through papers, foils, and cardboard. Moreover, the lesser
the food, the more often you shop which allows you to regularly check on
your pantry and also look out for the little critters.
First in, first out – Practice this by placing the
newly bought items at the back part of the pantry. This way, you’ll be
able to consume first those which you bought from your
second-to-the-last store trip. Again, foods stored for a long time are
more prone to infestation.
Have a cleaning schedule – Make sure that you clean
your pantry regularly to remove dirt from it. Remove all items and use a
vacuum or you can also use soap and water to sanitize everything.
However, refrain from using bleaches, ammonia or pesticides. These agents don’t kill pests effectively and can contaminate your food.
Proper disposal – Every after cleaning session,
immediately dispose of trash bags and empty your vacuum canister. If you
leave these inside the house for an extended period, the pests you have
caught may just crawl out and infest your pantry again.
Always check for cracks – Look out for cracks and
crevices in your cupboard. Spilled food often gets stuck in these places
and eventually attracts pests. Moreover, these spaces also serve as
hiding spots for pests.
Use traps – You can also make use of sticky traps.
While they may not completely exterminate the pests, they can help in
catching some, and give you an idea just what kind of pest you are
dealing with.
Containers – It’s unavoidable to have leftovers. So
in case the packaging is not resealable, it’s best to transfer the food
in air-tight or resealable containers.
Common pantry pests
There are hundreds of types of pests which can be found in pantries,
but here’s a list of some of the most common ones to look out for:
- Dermestid beetle (Dermestidae)
- Indian meal moth (Plodia interpunctella)
- Sawtoothed grain beetle (Oryzaephilus surinamensis)
- Confused flour beetle (Tribolium confusum)
- Rice weevil (Sitophilus oryzae)
- Maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais)
- Red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum)
Don’t wait until your pantry has already been infested. Start
practicing the preventive measures listed above and rid yourself of the
worry of a possible infestation. (Related: Home Pest Control without the Toxic Chemicals.)
Moreover, getting help from professional exterminators may cost you a lot, so it’s best not to let the situation go out of hand.
Learn more pest control tips by visiting Preparedness.news today.
Sources included:
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