Do not use insecticides in the pantry

What to Do

Never spray insecticides, foggers, or bug bombs inside your pantry or food storage areas. This includes aerosol sprays, residual sprays, and insecticide strips. Pantry pest control is entirely mechanical: remove infested food, clean thoroughly, and use airtight storage.

Why It Works

Insecticides contaminate food contact surfaces and provide minimal benefit against pantry pests hidden inside sealed packaging. The pests are inside the food — spraying the shelves doesn't reach them. Removing the food source is both more effective and safer.

Tips

• Foggers and bug bombs are specifically warned against for food areas by the EPA
• If you've already sprayed, wash all shelf surfaces thoroughly before restocking food
• The only acceptable trap for pantry areas is non-toxic pheromone sticky traps