Finding pests in your home can be frustrating and alarming. They do not just show up haphazardly. They are looking for food sources that are going to feed them. Despite religiously cleaning their homes, many homeowners find themselves dealing with a recurring pest problem, not knowing what exactly is enticing the unwelcome guests.
Leftover food, crumbs, or some forms of packaging materials are some of the things that attract common household pests. The fact is that both processed and organic foods in your nearest pantry could be sending out invitations to every fly, bug, and mouse in the world without you even realizing it. Food foraging is responsible for an estimated 84% of all indoor pest infestations in people’s homes.
Knowing what foods lure these pests is the key to prevention. While do-it-yourself remedies only provide a short-term fix, a professional pest control company utilizes integrated pest management to prevent recurring infestations and help identify any potential attractants that you may have overlooked. See more information with our guide and get insider tips on keeping pests at bay!
Do Pests Eat Junk Food?
Yes, there are plenty of pests that will gladly eat processed and junk food. Indeed, some researchers are looking at the possibility of some pests preferring processed over natural food. Ants preferred foods with sugar and preservatives to anything organic in a study.
This is likely due to the denser, richer quality of processed material. Unhealthy foods usually have more fats, sugars, and salts than natural products, which directly benefits pesky organisms with nutrients that offer them an energy boost. In addition, many processed foods have strong odors, making it easier for pests to find them.
But that does not mean pests will steer clear of natural food. Most household pests are opportunists who will eat whatever good food they can get, whether it is a shoe sole under the couch or organic flour in your pantry.
What Kind of Food Pests Prefer?
Pests are natural organisms that have evolved to find and eat food as efficiently as possible over millions of years. The majority of pests plaguing homes are drawn to food sources that are nutritionally rich and easy to access.
Pest species differ in their taste preferences. Note that ants are attracted to sweet, sugary things, while cockroaches eat almost anything but have been observed to be attracted to starches and greasy types of food. Rodents need protein-rich foods in order to survive and reproduce, so things like nuts, seeds, and pet food are particularly appealing.
Preference for food is also influenced by water availability. Lots of bugs (especially silverfish and cockroaches) are attracted to moist food that offers them food and water.
Possible Foods In Your Home That Pests Are Likely To Find Attractive
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Pantry Items
All sorts of pests are attracted to flour, sugar, grains, and cereals, from pantry moths to weevils to beetles. These dry goods serve as perfect breeding facilities and food sources, especially when stored in convenient packaging. Stored product pests, especially rice and pasta. While many foods attract pests of stored products, one study of untreated grain products found that nearly 60% exhibit some indication of pest infestation within six months of being placed into storage.
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Fresh Produce
Fruits and vegetables (especially those that are overripe or rotting) produce odors that make them appetizing to fruit flies, ants, and roaches. Fruit flies really love bananas, tomatoes, and potatoes, which have higher sugar content and impact to moist, and are attractive to unusual household pests.
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Pet Foods
The high protein content and odor of pet food are very inviting to many pests, such as rodents and cockroaches. Even when sealed, the bag itself might emit enough scent to attract determined pests, which is why protecting vulnerable goods in sealed containers, as a rule, is a must.
Protecting Your Home From Food-Seeking Pests
Knowing what pests do and do not like to eat enables you to design an environment that is less appealing to uninvited guests. Keep all foods, including processed and organic foods, in sealed containers. Make sure to clean spots where meals are prepared and eaten, and check nooks and crannies for lingering crumbs. Bear in mind the fact that pests may be present in apparently clean homes. Therefore, speak to a pest control service as soon as possible!
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