
Home \| Health \| Weight \| Fashion Trends \| Wedding \| Pregnancy \| Blog \| Shopping
Have a craving for the latest info? Check out the Look-Your-Best Blog

Protect Your Pantry From Ants

share/save

rss

(NewsUSA) - As the weather warms, many homeowners face the same problem -- ants swarming into their kitchens and invading their pantries. The same sweet flavors that appeal to humans, like sugar and syrup, also appeal to ant colonies. And while we are planning picnics and firing up the backyard barbecue, ants are moving inside to forage on our countertops and invade our pantries.

"Over time, food sources can attract pests and make food contamination a concern," says Greg Baumann, senior scientist for the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), a nonprofit organization that supports the pest management industry's commitment to protecting human food, health and property. "If you have ants, it's important to thoroughly examine all food products before using them, and to discard any that have been infested."

The NPMA offers these tips to Americans who want to keep a pest-free pantry:

- Store food in tightly sealed plastic or glass containers.

- When shopping, purchase sealed packages that show no signs of damage.

- Pay special attention to pet food, which is a frequent source of pantry pest contamination.

- Always discard any food that is past the expiration date on the package or that shows signs of pest infestation.

- Sift through flour, sugar and other ingredients carefully before adding to your recipe.

- Keep kitchen counters, floors and sinks clean because crumbs and spills quickly attract pests.

- Routinely clean out pantries and cabinets, checking in corners for signs of pests, including fecal droppings.

- Ants follow chemical paths laid out by their scouts, so you might be able to trace a line of ants back to their source. If you see that the ants are coming from a specific place, try to block their entrance with duct tape.

- To remediate pest infestations, contact a licensed pest professional to inspect, identify and control the problem.

To learn more about pantry pests, or to find a pest professional in your area, visit http://www.pestworld.org.