Don’t let pantry pests tarnish this year’s holiday traditions

As families and friends gather together this year, some of the fondest memories come from time spent in the kitchen creating tasty treats for everyone to share. However, nothing can ruin baking fun more than a newly discovered pantry pest infestation.

The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) said the most common pantry pests include Indian meal moths and merchant grain beetles — neither of which belongs at your festive occasions. And unfortunately, once they have settled in, they will continue to eat, live and breed within the food source.

To protect against these unappetizing and unpleasant pantry pests, the NPMA suggests the following prevention tips:

• Add a bay leaf to canisters and packages of dry goods like flour, rice and other grains — the herb’s pungent scent repels many pantry pests.

• Remove rice, pasta and grains from opened cardboard boxes or thin bags and keep them in plastic or glass containers with tightfitting lids instead.

• Store seasonal decor such as dried foliage, potpourri and Indian corn in airtight containers during off seasons, and unpack them outdoors to check for pests before bringing them inside.

• Regularly inspect cabinets, pantries and other food storage spaces to catch any signs of an impending infestation. Toss anything that seems suspect or damaged.

• Practice good sanitation. Clean up spills immediately and keep counters, shelves and cabinets clean of crumbs. Additionally, eliminate all moisture sites including leaking pipes and clogged drains.

• If any foods show signs of an infestation, discard them in outdoor trash bins and clean all of the shelves with a vacuum.

For more severe infestations, visit www.PestWorld.org and contact a pest professional to assess the situation.

This article is courtesy of Brandpoint.