Not only will food spoil if you leave it out, but various pests may gather to help you finish the meal you abandoned. In Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary and the surrounding Triangle area of North Carolina, we have plenty of critters that would love nothing better than to share a meal with you.

Pet food

It may not immediately jump to mind as ‘leaving food out,’ but your pet’s meals are just as appetizing to other animals as well. Rodents and insects are the main pests to worry about in regards to pet food, but if you leave the food dish outdoors, raccoons, opossums and numerous other species will be tempted to take a taste as well.

Dishes

Have you ever left your dishes “soaking” overnight? Maybe you’ve even left them there a few nights in a row. We know. Sometimes life gets busy and scrubbing that pot is the last thing you want to do after a long day of work. You’re not the only one happy that you decided to binge-watch Netflix instead of doing those dishes though. Cockroaches, ants and other insects are ecstatic that you left it out for them and gathered it all in one place too. The moisture is also a good water source for them, something insects look long and hard for.

Eating away from the table

Not everybody does the ‘Leave it to Beaver’-style nightly family dinners anymore. The dining room table may just be there in case company comes over and you want to appear civilized. More people likely eat on their couch, their loveseat or even their bed nowadays. We aren’t judging, but make sure you are not leaving crumbs strewn around and sauces smeared on the blanket. That’s a good way to make your entire home a pest’s paradise that critters will travel from miles around to get to.

What happens when you leave food out?

So, what exactly happens when food is lying around your home? Animals notice. Insect infestations are bad enough. Rodents are also attracted to messy, crumb-filled homes though. It’s not only disgusting to live around rats and cockroaches; it’s also unsanitary. These critters carry diseases that can harm you, your family and your pets.

If you let your home go for a little while and are now dealing with unwelcome guests, you may need assistance to regain control. Critter Control of the Triangle is happy to help evict rodents, insects and any other pest from homes and businesses in Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill, Carrboro and the surrounding greater Triangle. Call (919) 382-0651 today. We can also give you information about food hygiene in your home to avoid attracting pests in the future.