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You probably don’t give a lot of thought to the eating habits of pests, but you might know more than you think. For instance, if ants get into your kitchen, you instinctively go to the sugar bowl to make sure it hasn’t been infested. Many pests, especially insects, love sweet foods, but that’s only part of the picture when it comes to the eating habits of pests.
It might surprise you to find out that many pests, including rodents, spiders, and many other insects, love and need protein in their diets. That is just one of the reasons why pests can frequently be found infesting pet food. To find out how to protect your pet’s food, check out our easy-to-implement tips below.
Why Pet Food Attracts Pests
As you probably know, pet food is packed with protein, which pests crave to stay alive and well-fed. It's also loaded with nutrients that make it irresistible to pests on the hunt for a meal.
Pests have plenty of ways to sniff out your pet's food. Whether it's dry kibble or wet food, the scent is a magnet for them.
Leaving pet bowls out in the open, indoors or out, can turn into an unintentional invitation for pests. Even after your pet finishes eating, leftovers and crumbs left in and around the bowl become a pest paradise. And if pet food bags or containers aren't properly sealed, they practically roll out the welcome mat for pests to come feast.
How to Keep Bugs Out of Dog or Cat Food
Storing your pet’s food properly is the best way to keep bugs out of it. Most dry pet food comes in a bag of some sort. Once opened, it’s difficult to reseal these bags. It’s also easy for bugs to find holes in the packaging. To keep bugs out of your dog’s or cat’s food, we recommend:
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Storing dry food in airtight, chew-resistant containers
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Avoid leaving bags open
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Keeping the food stored off the floor and in a cool, dry location
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Not storing pet food in garages or sheds with high pest activity
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Washing hands after handling food to avoid scent trails
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Checking expiration dates and tossing stale kibble that may attract pantry pests
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Storing open containers of wet food in the refrigerator
How to Keep Bugs Out of a Pet Food Bowl
Keeping bugs away from your pet’s food might take a few new habits, but it starts with a smart setup. Try placing a food mat under the bowls to catch any spills, and if you can, elevate the bowls to make it harder for pests to reach.
It also helps not to leave food out all day. If your pet eats dry food, try sticking to a feeding schedule so it’s not sitting in the bowl around the clock. The same goes for wet food—if your pet hasn’t finished after about 30 minutes, go ahead and pick it up and offer it again later. Once mealtime is over, give the bowl and surrounding area a quick wipe to clean up crumbs or leftovers that could tempt unwanted critters. It’s a small step that can make a big difference!
How Often Should You Wash a Pet Food Bowl?
For your pet’s food bowls, you should wash them daily with hot, soapy water. If the bowl is marked dishwasher-safe, you can also wash it in the dishwasher instead. Not only does this prevent the build-up of bug-attracting food residue, but it also prevents bacteria from growing and making your pet sick.
Water bowls should be washed every one to two days. This deters pests and prevents algae growth.
Will Cat or Dog Food Attract Mice?
Mice love pet food. It provides them with a nutrient-dense and often easy-to-access food source. Because they are such good chewers, mice can easily get into a bag of pet food. Like mice, other critters will also be attracted to pet food. If you leave pet dishes outside, you may find yourself dealing with not only mice, but other rodents as well.
How to Prevent Mice from Eating Pet Food
There are a few things you can do to prevent mice from getting into your pet’s food supply.
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Feed your pets indoors, preferably in the daytime
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Store pet food in metal or glass bins with air-tight seals or other rodent-proof containers
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Never leave pet food out overnight
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Clean spills promptly and avoid feeding your pets near attics, basements, or crawl spaces
How to Keep Mice Out of Cat Food Bowls (DIY Tips)
If you feed your cat dry food, it’s fairly standard practice to leave it out for your cat, regardless of the time of day. This can invite unwanted visitors, though. These DIY tips can help you keep mice out of your cat food bowls.
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Use the “moat method” by placing the bowl inside a large, shallow pan of water
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Elevate the feeding area with furniture risers or pet platforms
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Use peppermint oil nearby to deter mice, but be sure to keep it out of your pet’s reach
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Feed your cat small portions at a time to reduce leftovers
What Smells Attract or Repel Mice?
Mice aren’t picky—they're drawn to just about any food smell, whether it’s fat, grains, sugar, protein, or even something that's starting to rot. That’s why it’s a good idea to keep all your food, including your pet’s, in tightly sealed containers. It keeps the mice out and your food fresher, too!
Interestingly, mice can’t stand strong scents like peppermint, clove, and cayenne pepper. Using these smells around your home might help keep them away. Just be careful—some of these can be harmful to pets, so make sure they’re placed well out of reach of curious noses and paws.
Another trick? Try setting up a fan near your pet’s food dish. Mice usually steer clear of areas with strong airflow, so a gentle breeze might just be enough to convince them to stay away.
Do Pantry Pests Invade Pet Food?
Pantry pests are frequently found in pet food. Pantry moths and beetles often lay their eggs in unsealed pet food containers and bags. This can happen in your house, but it most often happens either in the factory where the food is made or at the grocery store.
Signs of an infestation include finding webbing in the kibble, seeing tiny worms in the food, or noticing an odd odor coming from the food.
To avoid a pantry pest infestation in your pet’s food, carefully inspect the packaging before buying it. It’s also important to regularly clean out your pantry or storage area where you keep your pet food to avoid a pantry pest infestation.
When to Call a Pest Control Expert
If you spot gnaw marks, droppings, or bug infestations in your pet’s food or if you’ve noticed the presence of pests despite having taken the recommended actions above, it’s time to contact the pest control experts at All-American Pest Control. We offer effective treatments and long-term prevention for homes with pets.
We can inspect the surrounding areas of your home, including the crawl space, pantry, and garage, to look for entry points and identify pest activity. We’ll then recommend a treatment plan to eliminate the problem. We have several pest control options available, including Green Choice Pest Control, Perimeter Plus Pest Control, and Complete Care Pest Control.
Protect Your Pets With All-American Pest Control
Your pets are part of your family and you want to keep them safe. Protect them from pests and the diseases that pests spread by keeping pests out of their food. If you’re having trouble with pests getting into your pet’s food, contact All-American Pest Control today. We look forward to helping you protect your pets.
Your Trusted Nashville, TN Pest Control Experts
Since 1961, All-American Pest Control has been your go-to team of trusted pest experts for homes, businesses, and home builders throughout Nashville and Middle Tennessee. Our expert team offers termite treatments, mosquito reduction, rodent removal, ant and spider control, and wasp nest removal—keeping your property protected year-round. As a local, family-owned company, we take pride in offering reliable, professional pest solutions with outstanding customer service.
We proudly serve: Columbia, Mount Pleasant, Spring Hill, Summertown, Williamsport, Culleoka, Hampshire, Santa Fe, Ashwood, Bigbyville, Campbells Station, Fly, Fountain Heights, Hopewell, Pleasant Grove, Sawdust, Scotts Mill, Screamer, Silver Creek, and the surrounding areas.
For trusted pest control in Nashville, TN, and these surrounding communities, contact All American Pest Control today! Call (615) 824-8814 or schedule a free home evaluation.