Tea Tree Oil to Kill Pantry Pests

Create a cleaning mixture by purchasing tea tree oil from a natural food store. Follow the instructions for mixing the oil. This usually involves about 10 drops of tea tree oil per quart of warm water. Dip a cloth or paper towel into the mixture and wash down all crevices of your pantry to get rid of pantry pests and their eggs.

Select pre-packaged mixes by purchasing pantry pest killers made with tea tree oil from your local home improvement store. These cleaners are usually found on the natural cleaning aisle. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions closely, which usually involves spraying down the affected surfaces and wiping clean. Allow your home to completely air out after using the spray. Although tea tree oil cleaners are usually non-toxic, the mixture is fragrant. If a person in your home is sensitive to fragrances, it might cause headaches.

Dry surfaces. After wiping down your pantry, you might be tempted to put your food back. Before you do this, check your food for infestation. If the food is in a box or plastic bag, pantry pests can often eat through the packaging, which means the food might be infested. Canned food isn’t at risk. Allow all surfaces of your pantry to dry completely. Put your items back in the pantry and watch closely to prevent re-infestation.

Prevent future infestations from establishing a home in your pantry by making your pantry less inviting. If you spill food in your cupboards, clean it up immediately. Many pantry pests thrive on foods like grains and dog food. Wipe down your pantry with hot water and a household detergent regularly. This gets rid of crumbs, which make a nice meal for pests. Look at your foods regularly. If you find infested foods, throw them out right away. Store all foods in glass or plastic airtight sealed containers.