Pantry Organization Ideas

This pantry organization post was created as part of a sponsored post for Orkin Pest Control.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Organized spaces are my favorite.  I don’t have a junk drawer, I don’t have cupboards with items shoved in, and {almost} everything in my house has its place.  That doesn’t mean my house is never in a state of disarray {it totally is!} but I do love organization.  This week I tackled my pantry and gave it a makeover that is making my type A personality swoon!  If you’re type A like I am, or just love a good organized space, check out my pantry organization ideas … and why I decided to tackle this project now.

My pantry wasn’t completely disorganized before but there was definitely room for improvement.  I wanted an updated system that would make it easy for the kids to maintain.  If they know where everything is supposed to go, they’re generally good about keeping it up. 

But my biggest reason for wanting to reorganize this space had everything to do with pest control.  I live in Texas where big bugs are a way of life … and it’s always worse during the summer months.  I’ve come to terms with it as long as those bugs stay outside and never cross the threshold of my home. 

My first house in Houston was an older home and it had cockroaches.  Huge, nasty cockroaches.  For a girl who grew up in Canada with its delightfully small insects, that was a very rude awakening to what can exist in a warm, humid climate.  Ever since then, I’ve been determined to do what it takes to keep my house pest free.  No one wants ants and cockroaches wandering through the pantry!

During the summer months, cockroaches, ants, flies, and moths can be drawn by the smell of food, empty boxes, and even silk.  They’re not only nasty but they carry bacteria on their bodies and can spread that bacteria through food and across countertops {gross!}.

To help prevent a pest home invasion, pest control is key.  If you can prevent insects from ever residing in your home, and deal with problems quickly if they do arise, you’re well on your way to a pest free home.  This is one area of my life I won’t DIY.  I leave it to the experts at Orkin Pest Control.  Cockroaches are very adaptable and treatments must be placed precisely in order to be effective.  And because there are so many ant and fly species and the breeding source isn’t visible, DIY treatments may not work for that species or get to the root of the problem.

If you have a pest problem or want to protect your home from future invaders, it’s best to seek expert advice and service from a licensed pest management professional.  Orkin’s highly trained specialists will inspect your home from top to bottom and design a custom solution to fit your home’s unique needs.

And right now Orkin has a special for you: save $50 on your initial pest control service when you purchase here and use promo code Orkin50 at checkout. 

In addition to professional pest control, the other key step to preventing pests is to keep food areas clean and food products closed.  This is where my pantry needed some help.  My kiddos aren’t great about sealing cereal boxes or chip bags and I decided to simplify the process by storing certain items in airtight containers that will keep food fresh and keep bugs out.  Pantry pests will use opened food as both a food source and a breeding site.  Cookies, chips, cereal, crackers, nuts, pasta, flour, and dried baking products are all susceptible.

I drew up a plan for my pantry, bought a pile of clear containers in appropriate sizes, and used my cutting machine to make bright orange {my favorite color!} labels for each container.

I affixed the labels to the various containers, filled them up …

… and created some easy organization that the kids can keep up with.  No one will be complaining about stale cereal anymore and we won’t have to worry about sugar ants finding their way into the kitchen.

I’m so happy with this new system … the only thing that would make it better is a fresh coat of paint on those shelves.  But one step at a time, right?

And I couldn’t resist adding a cute DIY upcycled sign above the pantry door!

I’d love to hear your tips and tricks for keeping your pantry organized and pest-free. 

Don’t forget to sign up with Orkin:

Save $50 on your initial pest control service when you purchase here and use promo code Orkin50 at checkout.