Blog Post

14 Steps to Preventing Kitchen Pantry Pests

Bret Carr • Dec 28, 2020

The kitchen is the center of your home, and everyone naturally gravitates to it. Unfortunately, pantry pests find your kitchen an attractive destination. Nothing ruins your appetite more than finding a beetle or moth in your box of cereal or bag of flour

Fortunately, kitchen pantry pests are more annoying than harmful, for the most part. They don’t bite, sting, carry disease, or cause damage to your home. However, the insects do ruin your food, and it gets expensive to keep replacing infested products.

The Colorado State University Extension Service says “the common food pests in Colorado are Indian meal moths, flour beetles, sawtoothed grain beetles, and carpet beetles.” You may find other pantry pests, including cockroaches, ants, weevils, and rodents.

While panty pests may not harm you or your house physically, you still don’t want them hanging around and munching on your food.

Keep pesky pantry pests away by taking the following steps:

Know Their Targets

Pantry critters love dry, processed foods stored in boxes or bags, including grains, cereals, flour, nuts, seeds, baking powder, coffee, spices, and dog food. You also may find pests in fruit and chocolate. Opened packages are the primary targets, but some insects find their way into unopened containers.

Inspect Your Groceries

Most kitchen pantry pests enter your home through already-infested food, cardboard or paper, and plastic grocery bags. When shopping, inspect items before putting them in your cart. If an item is open, damaged, or past its expiration date, do not purchase it.

Secure Food in Sealed Containers

Transfer your food to plastic or glass storage containers (i.e., Tupperware, mason jars) with sealed, tight-fitting lids to protect food. Discard the original packaging.

Keep Things Clean

Immediately wipe up crumbs and spills from countertops, tables, floors, and shelves.

Stick to Cans and Jars

Whenever possible, purchase food in cans and jars. Pests quickly chew through cardboard, paper, and plastic.

Check the Dates

Look at expiration dates on ingredients before using and throw out any past the recommended date.

Clear Out Your Pantry and Cabinets

Give your pantry a good cleaning every few months. Remove everything from the area. Vacuum all shelves and wipe down with soap and water to remove any lingering pests. Do not use detergent, bleach, ammonia, or disinfectant because they can contaminate your food. Inspect all food packages for problems before returning to your pantry.

Buy Smaller Amounts

The longer items sit in your pantry, the more they become a target for pests. Avoid buying items in bulk and only purchase enough food you will use in a short time. The experts at Food Network recommends buying smaller packages and using them within “two to four months.”

Seal Cracks and Holes

Windows, doors, and water pipes are all common entry spots for pantry pests and should be checked regularly for holes or cracks. If you notice any holes or cracks around your home, seal them with caulk or glue to prevent pests from entering. Replace torn window and door screens.

Eliminate Moisture and Humidity

Insects are attracted to water and moisture. Check your pantry for leaky pipes and fix them immediately. If your pantry has high humidity, use a dehumidifier or fan to lower moisture in the air.

Discard Open Packages

If you do find infested food items, throw them away immediately. You should also discard any open items in your pantry or cabinets. While you might not see bugs, they may have already left their mark.

Add a Bay Leaf

The scent of bay leaves repels most pantry pests. Add a bay leaf to packages of rice and flour. You can also scatter bay leaves throughout your pantry as a deterrent.

Don’t Mix Old and New Food

When replenishing your dry food items, do not combine them. Discard the remaining old food and clean the containers with soap and water before putting in the new supply.

Watch Your Fruit

If you keep a bowl of fresh fruit on your kitchen counter, make sure to inspect it for fruit flies and other pests before eating. To be safe, store your fruit in the refrigerator instead.

Conclusion

While not a health hazard, kitchen pantry pests are a significant nuisance. It’s impossible to keep them out of your kitchen entirely, but the tips provided in this article will help to prevent them from feasting on your food.