How to Protect Your Food Pantry from pests and bugs during COVID19

Like most folks, you likely went out and stocked up on dry goods this week. You might have bought some dry beans, flour, pasta, grains. Go ahead and breathe a sigh of relief; having large amounts of nutritious dry goods in your pantry is a great way to prepare for COVID19 social distancing and quarantine. Dry goods are affordable, versatile, and healthy. Well done. 

Dry goods only have one shortfall, and with it being the first week of spring, this is timely: pests love dry goods. This is the time of year when you start to see sugar ants, pantry moths, and flies entering your home in pursuit of food. And if they find a reliable food source, they’ll settle-in and stay. You put a lot of time and energy into securing your dry goods. Don’t let them be contaminated and eaten by pantry pests. 

Follow these simple guidelines and your dry goods will be pest-free and last you 1 to 2 years.

1. Keep your dry goods cool.
   1. Do not store your dry goods near your stove or dishwasher, above your refrigerator, or near a radiator or other heat source. Instead, store your dry goods inside a cabinet that is far from any heat source.
   2. Heat will make your dry goods spoil much more quickly. 
   3. Warm and deteriorating dry goods will attract pests. Warmth and decomposition make dry goods emit odors that pests are attracted to. Remember, if pests are entering your home, they’re looking for food or shelter. Don’t give them a reason to come inside. 
2. Keep your dry goods dry.
   1. Don’t store your dry goods in a damp basement. They’ll mold and deteriorate quickly. And this deterioration will attract pests into your home.
3. Keep your dry goods dark. 
   1. Same rule here. Sunlight makes your dry goods deteriorate more quickly, and warm, decomposing dry goods attract pests.
4. Use containers. 
   1. Containers should have a tight-fitting lid. 
   2. Containers can be made of glass, plastic, or ceramic. 
   3. Don’t be afraid to copy your grandmother or great grandmother, here: a re-used peanut butter jar is a great way to store dry goods. 
   4. Plastic bags are only good for short term storage. Pests can easily find their way inside plastic bags. 

If you find that pantry pests are contaminating your dry goods and you’ve tried all the methods above, consider calling a pest control company like Debug to treat the exterior of your home. Having this added layer of protection is sure to keep you and your family’s food safe during COVID19.