Pay special attention to packages of flour, rice, and other grain-derived products. Remember that the pests might not always be visible right away, so stir around the contents of packages or empty them out onto a baking sheet to check. [2] X Research source Don’t assume that because a package is well-sealed it doesn’t have bugs. Many types of pantry pests can squeeze through very small spaces to get at your food.
If you really don’t want to throw away all of your open packages of pantry goods, you can freeze the ones that you didn’t see bugs in for 3-4 days to kill larvae. [5] X Research source
Wash any food storage containers with soap and water before returning them to the pantry.
Do not use pesticides, bleach, or ammonia to wipe down the pantry. These chemicals will prevent infestations but can be dangerous if they touch any of your food. [8] X Research source
Wash out your kitchen trash can as well with soap and water. Take trash out of your kitchen frequently to lower the likelihood of attracting pests. If you dumped any infested food into your garbage disposal, run the garbage disposal under hot water for 1 minute. [10] X Research source
Use soap and water or a disinfecting countertop spray with a clean cloth or sponge to clean up messes.
Try to buy amounts of flour, rice, and other grains that you can use up in 2-4 months. The longer something sits in your pantry the more likely it is to get infested. [13] X Research source
Mason jars are a great airtight option for storing grains and other food, and also look great for organizing your pantry! If you can store anything from your pantry in the fridge, put it in there to keep it away from bugs.
If you have a recurring problem with pantry pests, call in a professional pest control expert to help you resolve and prevent the problem. Try putting pheromone traps or insect growth regulators (IGRs) in your pantry to help limit future pest problems. [17] X Expert Source Scott McCombePest Control Specialist Expert Interview. 19 November 2019.
