Hosting guests for dinner is a commonplace tradition in many households, but there are some guests that will try to take advantage of your hospitality without an invitation. If you’re tired of unwanted rats, mice, raccoons, or squirrels making themselves comfortable in your pantry, here are seven food storage tips to keep them out.
Keep Things Clean
To truly keep pests out of your pantry, stay on top of keeping it clean. Regular maintenance and spot treatments are essential, but you should also deep clean your pantry every few months using the following steps.
- Remove all food from the pantry.
- Vacuum the pantry floor, shelves, and ceiling.
- Remove and clean or replace any shelf liners.
- Clean shelves with a soap and water solution.
- Reload food once the shelves are dry.
Buy a Bread Box
If you want to keep your bread fresh and all to yourself, start storing your loaves in a breadbox. These containers are designed to keep in enough air and moisture to preserve your bread while keeping local wildlife out. And, you can choose from a range of colors, materials, and styles to match your kitchen.
Clean Your Trashcan
To reduce odors that attract wildlife, you should always keep a tight lid over the garbage inside and outside of your home. However, you can maximize your trashcan routine by giving them an occasional cleaning as well. If you notice any spills, stains, or slick marks down the side of your trashcan, clean it up with a sanitized paper towel or a soap and water solution.
Ditch Old Tupperware
Durable plastic containers are great for storing dry ingredients like rice, beans, and pastas, but they can also hold stains and smells that attract rodents. Switch to airtight metal or glass containers to protect your food from rodents and keep every ingredient fresh; just don’t forget to record the expiration date.
Tuck Produce Away
Leaving fresh fruits and vegetables on the counter can attract wildlife and cause your food to spoil quickly. If you want to preserve your produce and keep rodents at bay, store your fruits and vegetables in the fridge. And, if you have any fruits or vegetables that you don’t think you’ll be able to finish in time, you can still safely store them for even longer in the freezer.
Add a Bay Leaf
You can also prevent rodents from shortening the shelf life of your food by adding bay leaves to your storage containers. This ingredient will naturally repel rodents without tampering with the quality or taste of your dried goods. Simply slip a leaf into the container of your choice, close the lid, and remove it before cooking or eating any ingredients.
Call Critter Control®
If you’re ready to stop rodents from sneaking into your pantry, partner with the wildlife professionals at Critter Control® of Fort Worth. Our team of technicians can inspect your home to understand how pests enter your kitchen and create a plan to professionally keep them out. To schedule your free consultation, call us today at 817-222-1101.
