Whether it's fresh artisan-style breads, chocolate brownies or warm homemade cookies, baking is a favorite pastime enjoyed by many people. Unfortunately, if you're not careful, you could have some unwelcome guests at your next cupcake party.
According to the National Pest Management Association, Indian meal moths and merchant grain beetles are likely pests to invade your pantry, cupboards and in turn, your baked goods. Copper red in color, Indian meal moths are known to infest dried food products. They will feed on anything from dried fruit, seeds and nuts to chocolate, dog food and powdered milk. They're attracted to light and often found in places with stored food, especially grocery stores. Although they don't pose a serious threat, they will contaminate food products.
If you're baking treats and goodies, you should especially be on the lookout for merchant grain beetles. Although their name may suggest otherwise, they are not found in grain products, reported the NPMA. Instead, they're likely to infest cake mixes, pasta boxes, cereals and chocolate. The narrow shape of their body permits them to live inside of packages and survive for long periods of time inside, even giving birth here.
Don't let these small pests wreck the fruits of your labor in the kitchen by ruining your baking supplies or even worse, the finished product. Instead, take precautions to keep them out in the first place. Most pantry pests are able to survive and sustain themselves off of spills in the corners of cupboards, crumbs in your cereal drawer or even just on opened packages of food that have been stored for long periods of time, reported the University of California Agriculture & Natural Resources.
To prevent infestations in the first place, it is important to tightly seal all stored foods. Never put exposed food on shelves or in drawers. Regularly clean cupboards, cabinets, drawers, pantries and storage areas frequently and thoroughly. Be sure to clear all cracks and crevices of spills and food particles. Most importantly, keep all packaged food storage areas dry at all times.
If you do get an unexpected visit from Indian meal moths, merchant grain beetles or other pantry pests, there are ways to take care of the situation. The Department of Entomology at Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences advised first nailing down the source of the infestation. Although you may have found pests in one area, that does not necessarily mean that is the official source. Pests can move and fly, so it's important to toss all and any food that has been infested. Once you do, the number of pantry pests should drop significantly. Before placing any new items in these areas, it's essential to do an extremely thorough clean.
When your pantries are clean, your baked goods are sure to be pest free!
You probably already know that most people are repulsed by the simple sight of cockroaches. If you are personally dealing with a cockroach infestation, the feelings of disgust are probably even more intense. Unfortunately, the cold winter weather tends to be one of the reasons this pest ends up in your home in the first place, according to Any Pest. While you may know that you don't want to share your home with cockroaches this winter, there are a number of interesting facts about this pest that you've probably never heard.
Because of the high amount of traffic and the versatility of the facilities, pests are naturally attracted to long-term care institutions. Many nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and other care facilities include on-site kitchens and cafeterias as well as private rooms and common spaces. All of these places are susceptible to attracting pests because of the presence of food, water and viable habitats.
During the summer months, some people love to go camping with family and friends. Yet this fun trip can be ruined with a few unwanted visitors, most notably different types of bugs. Crawling spiders, hungry mosquitoes and buzzing flies can become annoying quickly. How can you avoid these pests when you're outdoors? Consider these tips to keep bugs out of your campsite.
Carpenter ants can chew through the strongest studs and stringers in a house as they hollow the wooden beams out for nesting. The resulting damage can weaken the home's structural support and require expensive repairs. Professional pest control workers can remove a colony of ants, but the best practice for homeowners is to learn the best ways to keep out an ant colony and prevent the problem before it begins.
As the weather cools, you'll probably see fewer pests than you did during the warmer months, but that doesn't mean they're all gone just yet. Some insects can actually come out in full force during the autumn, while others might seek refuge in your warm home. Here are some key tips to keep in mind as fall gets underway:
As the middle of summer approaches, you need to be vigilant about keeping your garden free of pests. Many insects breed during the summertime, which means they're on the lookout for great places to lay their eggs. For many bugs, that means near a source of food. In fact, some species of insects will lay their eggs inside budding vegetables and fruit so their larvae have something to eat as soon as they hatch. That's why you have to keep harmful bugs out without damaging the bugs that could help you, such as bumble bees.
You might have noticed that, with the exception of the kitchen, you find more pests in your bathroom than in the rest of your home. This is because insects and rodents see the bathroom as a convenient watering hole. Pests love leaky pipes and standing water because these offer them a hydrating oasis in the otherwise dry biome that is your house or apartment. And if your bathroom develops mold, all the better for pests, who may eat fungus or use it to lay their eggs.
The kitchen is largest gathering place for pests in a residential home. The reason is simple: pests can grab a bite to eat and take a sip of water while they're here. And when they find such a bountiful place, they will return home to their nests and report the finding - before you know it, your whole pantry is a buffet for ants! The problem could get even worse if a piece of food falls somewhere and begins to rot. Similarly, fruit and vegetables you bring into your home may be harboring unseen pests waiting to hatch.
