Simple Tips For Keeping Your Kitchen Cabinets Pest-Free

Pests are always on the hunt for their next meal, and the kitchen in your home is one of the best places for them to find one. Many people know that keeping crumbs and food off of countertops and tables and wiping them down regularly is essential for preventing pests. However, this alone isn't always enough, and sometimes pests can make their way into kitchen cabinets. There are many pantry pests to be on the lookout for, and both insects and mice will happily indulge in all of your stored food if they get the chance — so don't be too surprised if you see signs of them inside your kitchen cabinets.

As when keeping the rest of your home protected from pests, it's best to take some precautionary measures with your kitchen cabinets. Doing so will help save you from headaches and will prevent your food from becoming contaminated. By taking care of how you store food in your cabinets and by cleaning them regularly, you can eliminate pests and prevent problems.

To prevent issues with pests in your kitchen cabinets, ensure you're storing food items correctly and securely -– even if they're behind a closed door. It's ideal to store food in airtight containers. Sealable plastic or glass containers with lids can help protect your food from pests and prevent them from gaining access. You should also be sure that your cabinets are completely free of crumbs and remove any food that has spoiled. Regularly check expiration dates and ensure spoiled food is quickly thrown out. 

You should also clean your kitchen cabinets from time to time. To do this, remove food and then use a simple mixture of soap and water to give them a thorough cleaning. This will help you get rid of any bugs that are present and ensure that all crumbs are out of the way. Especially be sure to properly clean your pantry if you notice pests have infiltrated it. Before adding new items to your kitchen cabinets, take a close look at the packaging and ensure that there isn't any pest damage. If items have been infiltrated by pests before you place them in your cabinet, it can give them access and make it easy for them to contaminate the rest of your food.

It's not a simple task for pests to get into your kitchen cabinets. However, it becomes a lot easier if you don't take other precautionary measures to keep insects and pests out of your house. By following general best practices for home pest prevention, you'll also prevent bugs and rodents from entering your kitchen cabinets.

In addition to cleaning out your cabinets, be sure that your floors and countertops are free of food and crumbs. You should also make sure that you have sealed all entry points to your home and your cabinets to prevent pests from getting in. Mice and other pests may gain entry to cabinets if there are holes or cracks in them — even if there's just a quarter inch of space. You should identify holes and cracks in your home's foundation to prevent them from getting inside your house. Repair and seal them as soon as you find them. 

Also, avoid leaving doors and windows open for extended periods of time. Be careful whenever you bring old cardboard storage boxes into your home, such as if you have recently moved. Check them for pests before bringing them inside.