The holiday season is here and if you are like me, you will be spending time in the kitchen this weekend baking.  However, nothing ruins a day of holiday baking fun quite like discovering that creepy-crawlies have taken over your pantry ingredients! Thomas Pest Services offers tips for keeping your kitchen cupboard free from two of the most common stored product pests: merchant grain beetles and Indian meal moths.

“Many people’s favorite holiday memories involve time spent in the kitchen with loved ones, whipping up family favorite recipes and classic seasonal treats,” said Sarah Thomas-Clark, Vice President at Thomas Pest Services. “Following just a few easy steps can prevent a buggy disaster from ruining an otherwise perfect day.”

Pantry pests can easily tear through soft plastic or paper packaging, where they will infest and contaminate common baking ingredients such as flour, chocolate, dried fruit and nuts.

Thomas Pest Services offers the following tips for preventing product pests like beetles and moths from invading your kitchen:

• Keep counters, floors, pantry shelves, cabinets and sinks clean, as crumbs and spills are obvious pest attractants.

• Only purchase food in sealed packages that show no sign of damage.

• Once packages are opened, move ingredients into sealed glass or Tupperware-type containers with secure lids before storing them in the pantry or cabinet.

• Check expiration dates on baking ingredients before use and visually inspect previously opened items before adding them to a recipe.

• Dispose of garbage regularly in sealed receptacles.

• Seal cracks or holes around the stovepipes and water pipes.

• Eliminate all moisture sites, including leaking pipes and clogged drains.

• Consult a licensed pest professional if an infestation has already taken root.

 Thomas Pest Services is your Albany pest professional serving Saratoga, Lake George, Latham, Troy and surrounding areas. Contact us for a free estimate by phone at 1-877-518-2847,email, Twitter or Facebook.

Thank you to The Professional Pest Management Association for this information.