Nobody wants to see nasty little insects skittering around their cooking and baking supplies. The very idea is enough to make throwing all those valuable food ingredients away seem like a good thing, although that action would certainly be expensive. A better idea is to repel insects and other pests away from every part of your home and your food storage and prep areas are the best places to begin.

Cockroaches are the most disgusting bug you may encounter in your home. They are also the most difficult to get rid of, so it pays to be fastidious when it comes to preventing their entry. Avoid purchasing anything from a resale store or a yard sale since a cockroach may hitch a ride inside if you do. The nasty critters can also hide in the paper bag used to pack your groceries, so check for them when you unpack at home. Roaches are most common in warmer climates, so you are not likely to have them if you live in a northern area with freezing winters.

It is very important to keep all food areas clean with no crumbs or food waste to attract them. You may have resident roaches without knowing it because they rarely show up during daylight hours. If you do see one, it is highly likely that you have a serious infestation. Cockroaches have developed a resistance to insecticides so your best defense may be sticky traps and gel baits. Since Boric acid is toxic to them, dust it in the areas they are most likely to travel.

There are many other beetles and moths of various sizes that will enjoy feasting on your foodstuffs if you do not take proper precautions to prevent it. Storing items such as cereal, flour, dried fruits, rice, nuts and even dog food in containers that can be tightly sealed is important. Large glass jars with lids that seal tightly are best for food storage, but plastic tubs that can be sealed tightly also work well.

Some people report they have eliminated insect problems by storing these items in the freezer. This not only prevents pests from getting into the bags and boxes, but it also kills any weevils or bug eggs that are already in the packages. This prevents any bugs that are present from infesting adjacent containers. Of course, make sure to inspect the contents before using the product and dispose of anything that is contaminated.    And of course, if the above methods don’t work, there is always the option to call an exterminator.