Pest Proofing Your Pantry: Keep Bugs and Rodents Away

10 Tips to Pest Proof Your Pantry from Insect & Rodents

Keep Your Pantry & Cupboards Safe with No Bugs

The kitchen is synonymous with warmth, good food, and comfort. The last thing you want is to come home to a pantry full of bugs or rodent droppings. The frustration of cleaning out your pantry each night and never knowing what you’ll find the next day can be exhausting. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent pest and rodent activity in your kitchen.

From home kitchens to restaurants to offices, the Santa Clarita pest control specialists at No Bugs have helped countless residents and business owners facing this exact scenario. For that reason, we compiled a list of 10 tips to keep pests out of your pantry! Tired of fighting bugs and rats in other places of your house? Check out our blogs on protecting your garage and closets from pests.

Let the Santa Clarita pest control experts at No Bugs help you keep your home pest-free inside and out. Contact our team to discuss your pest control needs today.

10 Tips to Keep Pests Out of Your Kitchen Pantry

Keep your kitchen and panty clean while preventing an influx of bugs and rodents using the tips and tricks we’ve shared below.

  1. Install door sweeps for all outside access doors. This helps prevent bugs from entering underneath your external doors. (This also prevents drafts and heat loss!)

  2. Pick up your pet’s food and water, or keep it stored 12-18 inches off the floor to reduce the access to bugs and rodents.

  3. Clean your kitchen regularly including countertops, floors, pantry surfaces, and refrigerator. Don’t forget to empty your trash after cleaning to eliminated crumbs, spoiled food, and food scraps. Consider storing food scraps and spoiled food in an airtight container to put in the garbage or a compost bin later.

  4. Fix leaky faucets so that they do not become a water source for bugs and rodents.

  5. Seal all gaps that allow entry into your kitchen or pantry. This includes gaps in walls, baseboards, electrical holes, outlet connections, and plumbing holes.

  6. Remove food from the pantry floor and if possible, store all food items above 18 inches off the floor. But it’s not wasted space… Items that can be stored on bottom shelves or the floor may include empty Tupperware, cooking appliances such as your mixer or blender, or empty mixing bowls.

  7. When cleaning out your pantry, check for expiration dates as well as signs of bugs or rodent activity. Check that any fruit or veggies are not spoiled or turning, as overripe or spoiled food will quickly attract fruit flies. Be sure to throw these items out in an outside trash bin or compost immediately.

  8. Place a small saucer of apple cider vinegar and dish soap (mix together) near your fruit basket to attract and eliminate any existing fruit flies.

  9. Use sealable, airtight storage containers to protect food and cooking products while streamlining the look of your pantry. Glass containers are best as they keep rodents from chewing through to get to the food. (Plastic works as well but may not be completely rodent-proof.)

  10. Utilize herbs and essential oils as a pest deterrent. Bugs cannot stand bay leaves so you can place a few leaves in the corners of your pantry, tape them underneath the shelves, or place them in breathable jars. Mint and peppermint deter rodents. You can mix a solution of water, vinegar, and peppermint essential oils to spray on pantry walls and surfaces to help keep rodents away.
Pantry Rat Experience
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Call No Bugs to Protect Your Santa Clarita Property

With these 10 tips and regular pest control treatments to the outside of your home, you can enjoy a kitchen pantry that is cleaner, safer, and pest-free. If you would like additional information about how to fortify your property, check out our blogs on Spring Cleaning three pest hot spots and preventing indoor pest issues during the winter season.  

Contact the Santa Clarita pest control experts at No Bugs if you have any questions about pest prevention or are concerned about activity in your home or business. We can inspect the property to develop a comprehensive treatment plan that offers optimal year-round protection and peace of mind.  

Enjoy a “No Bugs” life by calling (661) 294-0206 or filling out our online contact form.