Have you ever been unlucky enough to open the flour from your pantry only to see it crawling with bugs? Follow these steps if your pantry is infested and read on to find out how to keep them out for good.
Supplies needed:
• Garbage bags
• Vacuum
• Warm soapy water
• Freezer bags or a baking tray
• Freezer or oven
• Plastic or glass containers
• Masking tape
• Markers
• Scissors
1. Empty the entire cupboard
Remove everything from the infested cupboard. Don’t leave anything behind.
2. Inspect jars, cans, boxes and packages
Inspect everything for insects as you remove it from the cupboard, even if you suspect it might be insect free. Look under labels of jars and cans to see if they’ve started peeling. Look inside boxes and packages. If you can’t see all the way to the bottom of a package, pour the contents onto a baking sheet.
3. Throw it out
Throw away any food with insects. If there are insects under a loose label of a can that is still sealed, you can wash the can but throw away the label. The food inside the can will still be fine. Make sure the bin you use for this process is outside the house.
4. Freeze or heat infested foods
If you’re brave or don’t want to waste food, you can try freezing or heating it. Put any infested food in freezer bags and freeze it for three to four days. Otherwise, heat it in the oven at 60°C for two hours. The process of freezing and heating kills any eggs and insects. Make sure to inspect the food afterward and remove all the dead creepy crawlies before putting it back in the cupboard.
5. Vacuum the infested cupboard
Once the cupboard is empty, vacuum the area in and around the cupboard, making sure you get into the corners and any dark spaces.
6. Sanitise the cupboard
Wash out the cupboard with warm soapy water. Don’t use bleach, ammonia or pesticides. They won’t prevent future infestations and they can be dangerous if they come into contact with your food.
7. Transfer the foods into glass or plastic containers
Before putting the food back in the cupboard, transfer it into airtight glass or plastic containers. Insects can’t chew through these materials so it will keep your food safe in the future. Label the container with some masking tape and a marker.
8. Future proof your pantry
8.1 Store food in airtight glass or plastic containers
If you open any of your pantry foods and don’t finish it on the same day, transfer it to an airtight glass or plastic container. Use masking tape and a marker to label the container. Cut out any instructions or nutritional information you want to keep from the original packaging and place it inside the glass or plastic container for future reference.
8.2 Clean out your pantry every 3-6 months
You’re more likely to suffer from an infestation if the food in your pantry is old. Inspect the food in your pantry every 3 to 6 months and throw out anything that’s long past the expiration date.
8.3 Buy small packages you can use up within 4 months
Don’t buy 5 kilograms of flour if you only need little bits at a time. Only buy enough that will last you about four months.
8.4 Avoid buying packages that have dents, scratches or holes
Check the packaging of items in the store before you bring them into your home. Dents, scratches and holes give pantry pests easy access into the food.
8.5 Pay attention to expiration dates
Don’t buy anything that’s past the expiration date. Old food is more likely to be infested.
8.6 Follow the ‘first in, first out’ rule
Finish any foods in your pantry that’s already open before opening a new package.
The trick is to keep your pantry foods dry and in airtight containers. Bugs that can’t smell or reach your food will quickly realise that your pantry isn’t their restaurant.
You might not get all the bugs out of your panty the first time so be sure to inspect your pantry foods carefully for the next while, and if the problem persists consider a
pest control programme.