The holiday season is a time for celebration, but it can also be the most pest-ridden time of year. Whether you are hosting guests in your home or baking goodies for friends and family, pest control should not be overlooked! Because of this our team at Sigma Pest Control has created this full of tips for pest-free holiday baking and tips to keep pests out of your kitchen this winter. From using natural pest deterrents to storing food properly, preventing pests from ruining your season is easier than ever!
Bugs that Love to Bake
Flour is one of the most essential ingredients when it comes to baking, and it is also an ingredient that quite a few pests love. And these pests can get into flour and other baking materials during any stage of production and transportation, making pest-free holiday baking a bit difficult.
While there are methods in place to avoid this, nothing is foolproof, and pests can get into your home and baking materials the normal way too. For example, ants will make their way into your home and are just one of the many pests that help to make pest-free holiday baking difficult.
The pests and insects that interfere with pest-free holiday baking have been given the nickname “flour bugs,” “flour mites,” or “flour weevils,” however, the insects in your pantry can actually be a variety of different insects. Knowing what these insects are, how they operate, and what they are attracted to in your pantry is step one in pest-free holiday baking!
Grain Weevils
The first insect that can interfere with pest-free holiday baking is a grain weevil. These insects are also referred to as wheat weevils or granary weevils and they are about 3-5 millimeters long and have elongated snouts and chewing mouthparts. They are typically a reddish-brown color and tend to infest whole grains, seeds, and beans in your pantry.
Ants
Let’s be honest, ants are one of the most annoying insects so it’s no wonder they made it to our list of bugs to watch out for to ensure you have a pest-free holiday baking experience. Ants are small insects with a wide variety of species and they can be found just about anywhere on the planet. These little pests love to eat sweet things, so it’s no surprise that they are attracted to sugar and other sweet ingredients making pest-free holiday baking very difficult when they are around.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches are able to get into a variety of boxes to hitch rides from place to place, and that ride may be in your flour and other baking materials. These pest insects can be found anywhere food is prepared and they are able to eat almost anything, making pest-free holiday baking nearly impossible with them around.
Flour Beetles
Flour beetles is actually the name given to two different types of beetles, the confused flour beetle, and the red flour beetle. Because both of these beetles are about 5 millimeters long and reddish-brown in color, it is hard for homeowners to tell them apart. These insects are attracted to grains like cookies, cereals, and cake mixes and they are also very attracted to these items after they have prepared too! Because of this, these insects are one of the most important to keep an eye out to ensure pest-free holiday baking.
Indian Meal Moths
The Indian meal moth is a very common household pest that can be found feeding on stored food products. They can be found feeding on grain products, dried fruit, seeds, dog food, and spices and is the insect that is most likely to make pest-free holiday baking very difficult.
While these pantry pests aren’t necessarily harmful, they can definitely put a damper on the holiday season. And the last thing you want is to begin baking and cooking for the holidays and find these insects crawling around in your ingredients. Some of the most common ingredients and foods that these pests look for include:
- Spices
- Nuts
- Flour
- Cake Mix
- Rice
- Pasta
- Crackers
- Seeds, dried beans, popcorn
- Powdered Milk
- Raisins and Dried Fruit
- Tea
- Cured meat
Tips for Pest- Free Holiday Baking
So how do you keep these pests away to ensure pest-free holiday baking throughout the entire season?
Seal all Food Products
The first, and most important pest prevention tip to ensure pest-free holiday baking is keeping all food products tightly sealed. This will prevent these insects from getting into your baked goods, but it may also be necessary to occasionally check for infestations in the pantry too! Just because something is packaged and unopened doesn’t mean that it is free from pests. So instead of just leaving your food in the packaging, it comes in, you should store it in plastic or glass containers that seal tightly.
Clean and Clean Some More
Even the smallest mess can be extremely tempting to pests so it is important for you to clean your pantry and kitchen thoroughly This includes wiping down counters, shelves, sweeping, vacuuming, and moping. Making sure to regularly deep clean these areas will help ensure pest-free holiday baking all season long!
Eliminate Moisture Sources
Every insect and pest needs water to survive, and when they have easy access to both water and food then they are sure to thrive. Make sure to check under your sinks and near windows and doors for any leaks as well as any other areas in your home where moisture could enter unexpectedly.
Put a Lid on Your Trash
Every insect and pest needs water to survive, and when they have easy access to both water and food then they are sure to thrive. Make sure to check under your sinks and near windows and doors for any leaks as well as any other areas in your home where moisture could enter unexpectedly.
Give the Professionals a Call
Just because it is winter, doesn’t mean you can take a break from pest control. And choosing pest control that is effective and affordable can be difficult to do on your own, but by calling the pest management experts at Sigma you will get pest prevention tips as well as pest solutions for all of those little pests around during the holiday season! We are committed to helping you create a pest-free home so that pest-free holiday baking can be a reality all season long. Give us a call today for more information about our pest control packages!