A pest free pantry is critical for any home, and particularly a city like Washington D.C. Common pests in the same pantries are ants, cockroaches, rodents, pantry moths and weevils. With older homes, apartment houses and townhouses in the city, pests have free rove to burrow in storage spaces in search of food. Fortunately, there are some simple steps provided by Presto Pest Control you can follow and regular maintenance you can perform that will help you achieve a clean, pest-free pantry at home.

Start With A Good Cleaning

The first step to having that pest free pantry is starting with a deep clean. Take everything out of your pantry – foods, containers and storage bins. Wipe all of the shelves using a combination of warm water and a mild soap, or a solution of vinegar and water for an all-natural cleaning. Clean the nooks and crannies where food particles may have landed with a corner attachment for the vacuum. While there, watch for signs of pest presence like droppings, webbing, or chewed packaging.

Use Sealed Containers to Preserve Food

One of the best methods of avoiding pests in your home is to store food correctly. Dry goods such as flour, cereal, rice, pasta, nuts, and snacks need to be moved out of their original packaging and into well sealed containers. Plastic, glass, or metal containers with lids work well. Cardboard boxes and flimsy plastic bags are prey to the jaws of rodents and the access of pests such as moths and beetles.

Mark each container with what’s in it and the date it expires for convenient rotation and organization. It not only keeps the critters out, but it also preserves your food and makes your pantry more visually appealing and user-friendly.

Declutter and Store in a Non-Cumbersome Way

The more cluttered the pantry, the more of those places there are for them to hide. Arrange similar items together to keep your pantry organized, like baking supplies, canned goods, and snacks. Organize courtesy clear storage bins or baskets to separate and make things easy to grab. Keeping it all organized can also help you spot a spill, expired item or the first hints of pests before they become a much bigger problem.

Use Natural Pest Deterrents

Here are some of the more natural and gentle ways to keep pests from taking over your pantry. Essential oils such as peppermint and eucalyptus can also deter critters — put a few drops on cotton balls and place them in corners or behind containers. Such crawling insects can be killed without harmful chemicals by sprinkling diatomaceous earth, a fine powder made from fossilized algae, in corners and along shelves.

Seal Entry Points

Pests get into the pantry through small cracks, gaps, or holes in the walls, baseboards, or even electrical outlets. Check the pantry and caulk or foam shut any openings. Check window screens, door sweeps and vents for any holes or other damage that could let insects or rodents inside. Sealing these penetration points in Washington DC in its older construction is even more important because of age-related degradation of its buildings, as well as in the shared walls of its multi-unit housing.

Watch the Trash and Recycling Cans Closely

Allowing trash and recycling to accumulate out in the open can lead to pests in your kitchen and pantry. Regularly use trash bins with fitting lids. Don’t let food garbage sit overnight during warm months. If you compost, keep the container sealed and dump it frequently. Keep recyclables like cans and bottles out of the kitchen and rinse them before throwing them in bins.

Establishing a bug-free pantry in Washington, D.C., calls for organization, maintenance, and vigilance in the forms of proper storage, cleanliness, and entering the home. In a trash-locked city with a variety of housing styles, ranging from developed lots to tightly packed neighborhoods, pests can be a year-round challenge. But by taking an active, natural approach to pantry management, you can keep your food safe, deter infestations and encourage a healthier home lifestyle. So whether you have a historic row home or modern apartment, there are easy steps you can take to enjoying a tidy, pest-free pantry.