No home is immune from pests. Even the most lavish homes have been known to have pest problems. The most common place to have pests show up is in the kitchen, specifically the kitchen pantry or the kitchen cabinets. The most-common pantry pests are moths, weevils, and small beetles. These pests are not only unsightly but can also harbor diseases that could infest  food items. So what can you do to prevent these pests from creating problems in your kitchen cabinet? Let’s take a closer look.

• Investigate Incoming Food – One of the more common ways that pantry pests find their way into a home is by hitching a ride on food purchased at the store. Check out all grocery items before you store them in the cabinet. For example, look at packaging and dried foods to be sure that they have not already been infested in the warehouse.
• Keep it Clean – The fewer crumbs, spills, and messes there are in your kitchen, the less attractive your cooking area will be for a pest.
• Keep it Sealed – Most pantry pests like to munch on grains, like flours, cereals, and processed foods, as well as dried fruits, beans, nuts, and spices. For foods such as these, keep them in a sealed plastic container than can not be easily chewed through.
• First In / First Out – If your home is like many who buy in bulk, try transfering items into smaller packages and use the items you bought first so they have a shorter shelf life.
• Trash It – If you find that some of your food items do have an infestation you could freeze or heat the items to kill any left. We suggest trashing those items so that the infestation does not spread.

If you have an infestation in your kitchen cabinets call Pest-End Exterminators at Toll-Free: 800-287-4321  Phone: 603-382-9644  Phone: 978-794-4321.

The kitchen is the heart of every home. It is where family and friends gather for meals, drinks, and celebrations. The kitchen, therefore, should be a place that is free and clear of pests that could easily ruin a social occasion or family dinner. Some of the most dreaded pests in the kitchen tend to be the ones that gather and feed on the food in your pantry like cereals, grains, rice, chocolate, and dry goods. Let’s take a look at common pantry pests and what you can do to prevent them.

Pantry pests seek out the food that is stored in your kitchen cabinets, cupboards, or pantry area. These types of pests tend to live near their food source and, in some cases, that means living right inside your food items once they have gained access to them. Some of the common pests you might discover include several types of beetles, a variety of weevils, and Indian Meal Moths. These pests can breed quickly, so a small problem could quickly become an infestation.

Prevention –

• While shopping at a bulk store may seem like a cost saving strategy, it may be better if you buy only what you need for a month at a time. If an infestation is common in your home, smaller packages may mean discarding less in the long run until the problem is solved. Use oldest products before newer ones, and opened packages before unopened ones.
• Inspect packages or bulk products before buying. Packages should be sealed and unbroken. Also check the freshness packaging date. Look for evidence of insects, including holes in the packaging or wrapping. If you discover any, report it to the store and discard the item.
• Store insect-free foods in tightly closed glass, metal, or heavy plastic containers. You can also store foods in the refrigerator or freezer.
• Keep food storage areas clean. Do not allow crumbs or spilled food to accumulate. Remove and discard old, unused products and inspect the remainder. Thoroughly clean cracks and corners with a vacuum cleaner. Also check and clean areas where pet food and birdseed are stored as these are common sources of infestations.