How to Keep Bugs Out of Your Pantry and Kitchen

To avoid using chemical-filled bug sprays when cooking and eating, we offer natural solutions and deterrents for household pests. These non-toxic solutions work for all kinds of kitchen pests and will help you avoid upsetting visitors in the first place.

1 – STORE DRY GOODS IN AIR-TIGHT CONTAINERS

Storing your dry goods in airtight containers will not only make them fresher for longer, but will prevent bugs from smelling the goodies inside them. There is also no way for insects to get inside the containers if they are sealed properly.

Recycle glass jars to store your dry products. It’s a great way to reduce waste and protect your dry goods from insects.

2 – ELIMINATE FOOD SOURCES THAT ATTRACT PESTS

It’s impossible to keep a kitchen immaculate all the time, but to avoid bugs, you need to channel your inner Mr. Clean to starve them out.

• Do not let dishes pile up in the sink and remove waste and drains.
• Wipe spills and food debris from counters and floors immediately. (Try using this natural lemongrass cleaner for its great smell and disinfecting power.) The same goes for the pantry; don’t let crumbs accumulate on the shelves.
• Your pet’s food is also a food source for insects, so take their food and water bowls out of the kitchen and avoid having them sit around all day.

3 – USE PEPPERMINT TO REPELL ANTS AND SPIDERS

Ants and spiders hate the smell of peppermint. Place a few drops of peppermint essential oil on a cotton ball and place it in any cabinets where you store snacks, chips, or anything else that might attract bugs. If they smell peppermint, they will back away.

4 – KEEP ANTS OUT OF PET FOOD BOWLS WITH VASELINE

You have animals? Prevent ants from getting into your pet’s food bowls by drawing a ring around the bottom of their plate using petroleum jelly. Insects cannot and will not try to pass through them to get into your pets’ food bowls.

5 – DIY FLY PAPER

Take inspiration from the housekeepers of yesteryear and trap flies with fly paper that you can easily make yourself.

Hang these sticky strips below high cupboards, in door and window frames. No hooks are needed, simply secure the string strips with masking tape or tape.

Necessary material

• 1 brown paper grocery bag
• String
• Adhesive tape
• 150 grams (⅔ cup) sugar
• 150 milliliters (⅔ cup) light corn syrup
• 150 milliliters (⅔ cup) water

Instruction

1. Cut the bag into strips 3.5 cm (1 ½ in) wide and 0.3 to one meter (one to three feet) long. Cut pieces of string 12 to 15 centimeters (five or six inches) long and attach them to the top of the strips with transparent tape.
2. Combine the sugar, corn syrup, and water in a two-liter (two-quart) saucepan and bring the mixture to a boil over high heat.
3. Reduce the heat to medium and cook until the liquid thickens.
4. Use a pastry brush to coat the strips with the liquid, then hang them wherever the flies congregate.