Keep your dry goods safe and your pantry pest-free with this easy-to-follow checklist!
🧺 Storage Tips
- ☐ Transfer all dry goods (flour, rice, cereal, pasta) into airtight containers
- ☐ Use glass, BPA-free plastic, or metal containers with tight-fitting lids
- ☐ Label containers with purchase or expiration dates
- ☐ Avoid keeping food in original cardboard or paper packaging
- ☐ Don’t buy dry goods in bulk unless you’ll use them quickly
🕵️♀️ Inspect and Rotate
- ☐ Inspect new groceries for bugs before putting them away
- ☐ Check bulk-bin items and natural foods carefully
- ☐ Use the “first in, first out” method to avoid stale food
- ☐ Freeze new flour or grain purchases for 72 hours to kill any hidden eggs
🧼 Cleaning and Maintenance
- ☐ Wipe pantry shelves monthly with soap and water or vinegar solution
- ☐ Vacuum crumbs from corners, shelf supports, and hinges
- ☐ Check under lids and inside container rims for hidden pests
- ☐ Don’t reuse old containers without cleaning them thoroughly
🐛 Monitoring and Control
- ☐ Use pantry moth pheromone traps as monitors (not long-term solutions)
- ☐ Look for signs like webbing, odd smells, or tiny beetles
- ☐ Discard infested items in sealed bags and remove from home immediately
- ☐ Freeze any suspicious but salvageable foods for 4–7 days
🌿 Natural Pest Deterrents
- ☐ Add bay leaves or cloves inside containers or pantry corners
- ☐ Place cotton balls with peppermint or lavender essential oil nearby
- ☐ Store pet food and bird seed in sealed bins away from food items
- ☐ Use cedarwood sachets or blocks to naturally repel insects
🧾 Pro Tip:
Add a reminder to your calendar to clean and check your pantry once a month!
Pest Free Living 