If you have children and you realize that your food is going missing then this can seem like the likely culprit. Unfortunately, in most cases, this is not where the fault lies, although it could certainly be easier to deal with.
A good lock will keep most human invaders away, But, you’re probably not dealing with a human issue, and we’re not talking about alien problems either.
In fact, you need to be looking a little closer to the floor, there are many different types of pests that can get in and steal your food. If you think you have an issue then contact your local pest control expert, they don’t just deal with problems, they’ll be able to help you identify the issue and prevent it from happening again.
Your Larger Visitors
The pests that are likely to take the most food will be mice and rats. Of course, a cat or dog would be interested but they are unlikely to have a way into your pantry. On the other hand, mice can squeeze through a gap as small as ¼ inch.
Mice and rats won’t just eat the food in your pantry, they’ll take anything they can carry back to their nests. This will help them to feed their families while explaining to you how there are large pieces of food missing.
These aren’t the only rodents that could cause an issue in your home, but they are the most likely ones. Whatever the rodent, you’ll need to thoroughly inspect your pantry to find their entry point, blocking this up will help to keep them away.
In addition, you should consider some mouse traps, poison bait and make sure your food is all stored inside plastic or metal containers. You can find out more here.
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The Smaller Problems
The larger pests are generally easier to deal with simply because they, and their access points, are relatively visible. But, there are plenty of smaller pests that can take your food, or simply give you a problem.
The list includes:
- Weevils
- Flour beetles
- Mealworms
- Spider beetles
- Grain & flour moths
- Ants
- Other small pests indigenous to your area.
The type of pest you attract to your pantry will depend a little on what food stocks you keep, it will also be related to which pests are predominant in your area. That’s why it’s worth talking to your local pest control expert, they can help you identify the issue.
Don’t forget that corn, wheat, rice, and flour are the most attractive to pests, along with processed foods. These must be kept inside containers.
To minimize the issue you should also wash containers between uses and make sure that the rubbish is always in a sealed bin, while the floors are cleaned and disinfected on a regular basis. This will help to make the environment less appealing for pests.
You should also monitor your floor, any signs of movement, insect husks, or spider webs indicate insect activity in your pantry, it will be time to take action!