Thanksgiving is a time for family, gratitude, and of course, a delicious feast. But the last thing you want is to have pests crashing your holiday celebration. Imagine finding a bug in your mashed potatoes or gravy - talk about a buzzkill! That's why we've put together some pest prevention tips to help you keep those unwanted pest and rodents out of your Thanksgiving meal.

Common Kitchen Pests During Thanksgiving

Before we dive into the tips, let's take a quick look at some common kitchen pests you might encounter this Thanksgiving:

• Weevils: These pesky insects love to feed on grains like beans, popcorn, and nuts.
• Cockroaches: No one wants these creepy crawlies scurrying around their kitchen.
• Indian meal moths: Found in both households and grocery stores, they're attracted to nuts and dry dog food.
• Ants: They can quickly become unwelcome guests if they find their way into your pantry.
• Flour beetles: Flour is their primary interest, but they can expand their diet to include other dried goods.
• Spider beetles: With their round abdomen and diverse appetite, they'll happily munch on cereals, grains, wool, and even hair.
• Flies: These annoying pests are always looking for an opportunity to buzz around your food.

Pest Prevention Tips This Thanksgiving

Now that you know what pests to watch out for this Thanksgiving, lets review some pest prevention tips:

1. Don't Leave Food Uncovered: Covering your food with plastic wrap or tin foil will help deter pests from feasting on it. After everyone has finished eating, store leftovers in the refrigerator using glass or plastic containers with lids.
2. Don't Let the Trash Stack Up: Take out the trash regularly during your Thanksgiving feast to prevent flies, ants, and cockroaches from being attracted to it. Make sure to use a trash bin with a closable lid.
3. Maintain Your Lawn: Pests often start outside and make their way into your home. Keep your lawn well-maintained by mowing it to a short length and removing any weeds near your house. This will help deter pests from invading your home during the holidays.
4. Invest In Proper Tupperware: Use plastic storage containers with lids to store leftover food. Label each container with the name of the food and the date to stay organized. By storing cereal, rice, flour, and other pantry items in sealed containers, you'll prevent pests from contaminating your food.
5. Clean Up Routinely: After cooking and eating, clean up thoroughly by sweeping and vacuuming hard-to-reach places. This will eliminate crumbs and messes that attract insect pests.

Need Thanksgiving Pest Control?

If you're dealing with a pest infestation or want to ensure a pest-free Thanksgiving, give us a call at 540-441-7397. Environmental Pest Control has pest prevention plans that protect you from 20+ pests and rodents year round. We have been providing quality pest control services since 2006 and our experienced technicians will ensure your home stays pest free this Thanksgiving!