As Halloween approaches, the excitement for spooky decorations, costumes, and, of course, candy fills the air. While you might be eagerly awaiting the arrival of trick-or-treaters, there may be other uninvited guests lurking around your Halloween treats: pests and rodents. Whether it’s mice, ants, or other critters, these pesky creatures have a knack for finding their way into your precious stash of sugary goodness. Are pests eating your Halloween candy?
In this article, we’ll explore the common pests that can infiltrate your Halloween candy and provide you with essential tips on how to protect your seasonal treats.
What Pests and Rodents are Most Likely to Make Their Way to the Candy Jar?
We know that pests and rodents are attracted to sweet smells, and even mice would actually prefer sweeter foods that are high in carbohydrates, over cheese. Mice would truly like something more like peanut butter, candy, honey, or dried fruit. Are your seasonal sugary treats at risk? Are pests eating your Halloween candy either in the pantry, or outside of it? What pests and rodents may be eating your Halloween candy?
- Mice and Rats: Mice and rats are at the very top of this list. Mice and rats are notorious for their ability to chew through packaging and sneak their way into your Halloween candy stash. These nocturnal creatures are attracted to the enticing aroma of sweets and can penetrate your home through tiny cracks and crevices. Once inside, they’ll make a beeline for your favorite treats, leaving behind chewed wrappers and an unwelcome surprise.
- Ants: We know that ants love your kitchen, and that is because, like many of us, ants have a sweet tooth, making them likely critters to eat your Halloween candy. They like eating sugars, proteins, oils, and even plants, and your Halloween treats can provide them with a variety of choices. Ants are notorious for their ability to locate even the tiniest morsel of food. Their keen sense of smell leads them straight to the sugary goodness of Halloween candy, and before you know it, your treats become their feast.
- Other Pests: While mice, rats, and ants are common candy bandits, it’s essential to be aware of other potential pests that might have a sweet tooth. Cockroaches, silverfish, and pantry beetles are just a few examples of pests that may be eating your Halloween candy, if given the chance.
How Can you Prevent Pests From Eating Your Halloween Candy?
By following general preventive measures such as proper storage, regular cleaning, and proactively keeping your eyes peeled for signs of pests, you can reduce the risk of infestation from these unwanted guests. Let us break this down a little more below.
- Seal Entry Points: We recently reviewed how you should prepare your home to keep pests and rodents out in colder weather, and this was one of the most important things for you to do. Inspect your home for any openings that pests could use to gain access. Seal cracks, gaps, and holes. These critters can get into even the smallest of spaces, so ensure you check for anything that could be an entry point for them.
- Proper Storage: If you want to prevent pests from eating your Halloween candy, don’t make it easy for them to get to. Store your Halloween candy in airtight containers, preferably made of glass or metal that creepy-crawlies cannot gnaw through.
- Clean Up: Keep your home clean and clutter-free. Crumbs and food debris can attract pests and rodents, so vacuum regularly and promptly clean up any spills. Also make sure that wrappers make their way to a sealed trash can, so their sweet aroma does not draw in pests and rodents.
Halloween is a time for spooky surprises and delightful treats, but the last thing you want is to discover is that pests have beaten you to your precious candy stash. By taking a few preventive measures, such as sealing entry points, using proper storage containers, and maintaining a clean environment, you can safeguard your Halloween candy from being devoured by pests.
If you are worried that pests are eating your Halloween candy, or don’t even want to take the risk, Delving Pest Control can help. We are here for all of your local residential pest control needs in Ohio and Southeast Michigan. Contact us today for a free pest control estimate.
