One of the worries many homeowners have, especially during cold winter months, is finding pests in the pantry. This is usually mice who like to chew their way in out of the cold, snowy weather. However, unless you see one of those little creatures scurrying around, you may not know they are there. Actually, there are some signs to look for and since mice and other rodents aren’t smart enough to cover their tracks, so to speak, there are fairly fool-proof ways of finding their presence.
What to Look For
If you hear sounds like scratching just behind the walls, it’s a fairly good sign that you have some kind of rodent trying to make its way through to your pantry. If they’ve made it through, you are likely to see paper and cardboard packaging chewed through and bits of food lying on the shelf nearby. Also, you will probably find droppings on the floor and shelves as well. So, along with the scratching noises and other visual signs, it’s probably time to call in expert Bristol pest control. Once they are there, you will know exactly what kinds of rodents you are dealing with and the technicians from a company like Advance Pest Control Bristol will also help you understand what you can do to prevent a further infestation.
Safe Storage of Baked Goods
Bear in mind that any home-baked goods don’t have the same preservatives as those items you buy in shops. They have a finite shelf life that is shorter than commercially baked goods, so keep that in mind, especially if eggs and fruit are used in the recipes. These are the kinds of things you would want to keep refrigerated anyway. Some baked goods that you’ve bought at shops might be better stored in plastic bins. In fact, the advice typically given by a pest controller Bristol service would probably be to keep any grains and baked goods in tightly covered plastic bins. Don’t forget that most rodents will also chew paper products even if there is no food inside. It’s just something they do. In other words, if you want to avoid calling Bristol pest control in the future, learn what you should do to keep them away.
Preventing Rodents in Other Areas
Once you find that rodents are chewing through paper and cardboard containers, it would be wise to avoid collecting magazines and leaving mail lying around on counters. Some households have pest control in Bristol come out annually to do an inspection for safety reasons as well. Mice and rats carry germs and once they’ve made their way into your pantry or kitchen, there is a possibility that foods and surfaces can become contaminated. This holds true of any area of the home where mice have been.
The key takeaway here is in understanding the safe storage of any foods that can go bad easily or attract those nasty creatures that will make their way through most paper packaging. Don’t leave food left around and take the time to actively look for their presence. If you spot the first sign of mice in your home, it’s time for pest control before it reaches the point of infestation. A bit of prevention today can prevent major problems tomorrow.
