No one wants to open their pantry to discover that ants and other pesky bugs have invaded their food. Not only is it unappealing, it could also cost a lot of money in wasted groceries. Below are seven simple and natural ways to keep critters from taking over your kitchen, pantry, and even your pet bowls.
Video: How to Keep Bugs Out of Your Pantry and Kitchen
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1. Keep cereal in easy-to-open containers
Keep things like cereal and loose snack items in easy-to-open containers that seal when you shut them. Since kids are more likely to access these items, you want to make sure that they're in containers that are easy to access yet airtight. This should keep the ants from smelling and entering containers that hold cereals that may contain sweeteners.
2. Take snack items out of their boxes
Take all individually wrapped snack items out of the boxes they come in and place them in open stackable containers. Bugs love cardboard and can easily sneak into the boxes that most snack foods come in. By taking them out and placing them in open bins, you can keep a better eye on them and use some of the tips below to keep bugs from invading.
3. Store dry goods in airtight containers
Storing your dry goods in airtight containers will not only make them stay fresher longer, but will keep bugs from being able to smell the goodies inside of them. There is also no way for bugs to get inside the containers if they are sealed properly.
Tip
Recycle your glass jars and use them to store your dry goods. It's a great way to reduce waste and keep your dry goods safe from bugs.
4. Use peppermint to repel ants and spiders
Ants and spiders detest the smell of peppermint. Place a few drops of peppermint essential oil onto a cotton ball and place in any cabinets where you store snacks, chips, or any items that may entice bugs. If they smell peppermint, they will retreat.
5. Use cinnamon to repels bugs
Cinnamon works a lot like peppermint oil. If bugs smell cinnamon, they will stay away. You can put a little bit of ground cinnamon in a small bowl to place in your pantry, place cinnamon sticks in various areas of your kitchen, or add a few drops of cinnamon oil to a cotton ball and place in your cabinets.
6. Draw a chalk line to deter ants
Miraculously, ants will not walk across a chalk line. If there are certain areas of your home where ants tend to enter, draw a chalk line and just watch — they will not cross it! You can also outline the bottom of your pantry with chalk to keep ants from entering.
7. Keep ants out of pet food bowls with petroleum jelly
Keep ants from getting into your pets' food bowls by drawing a ring around the bottom of their dishes using petroleum jelly. Bugs can't and won't try to cross them to enter the food bowls.
