You’ve been thinking about your favorite box of cookies all day – all ready for you when you get home from a tiring day of work. There it is, perched on the pantry shelf, just waiting for you to reach out and take the first cookie out of the box. Wait a minute – why is the corner of the box all chewed up – and what’s with the trail of crumbs and droppings? Looks like some mouse beat you to the prize.
Calgary Pest Control and Extermination Experts at One Man and a Lady Bug understand the frustration of having to throw out contaminated food – that may not have even have made it out of the box or bag. Being aware pest activity in and around pantries and cupboards can help keep food on your table and away from the mouths of critters.
What Type of Pests Do You Have in Your Pantry?
Obviously mice are the first pest that comes to mind when we think of chewed up bags of flour and corners missing from cereal and cookie boxes. These furry critters are experts when it comes to finding food sources and are adapt at crawling through heating vents, squeezing under base-boards and forcing themselves through the tiniest of openings to get at your Captain Crunch. When it comes to gaining access to your kitchen cupboards and pantry – mice will take advantage of the slightest opportunity. And if mice were the only thing to worry about that would be a bonus – but you’ve also got to keep your eyes peeled for cockroaches, ants, Indian meal moths and various beetles. Many of these pests enter the home already in store purchases – as many are common to flour products. Being diligent about emptying packets of dry foods in to glass or plastic containers will not only present an opportunity to see insects in your food – but will protect unsoiled food from other critters.
Keeping Pests Out of Your Pantry
As the saying goes – an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure – and when it comes to keeping pests out of your pantry prevention is the place to start. Don’t be the house that attracts critters – that means keeping a clean kitchen that is free from crumbs on countertops and corners and no sticky residue from last night’s supper. If pests can’t smell food residue they are less drawn to your home – so cleaning up after a meal and especially before going to bed is the number one defense against uninvited guests. Placing your food in chew proof containers is recommended as this will prevent contamination should an infestation occur.
Making sure that there are no easy access points in to your home is crucial to keeping pests on the outside. Even in a new home there can be little openings around vents and pipes that are just too inviting for a hungry pest. Placing steel wool in and around openings is a fast and easy way to reduce access.
Call a Calgary Pest Control Expert
Unfortunately sometimes the unthinkable happens and some little bug or pest gets in to your pantry – and once in they can be hard to get out. Calling a Calgary Pest Control firm is a safe and fast way to address the issue – and to get tips on how to prevent further infestations. For more information on Pest Control in Calgary – contact One Man and a Lady Bug today 403.262.1666
