[morningfox2016]

Hi Everyone!
We are new at being a new snowbird, owning a home here in the Villages now for 1.5 years and plan to explore or travel via motorhome around the eastern states for 4 to 5 months. We live in north of 466. Is it safe (from roaches, rats etc) to leave some unopened foods in our pantry? Examples might be unopened pastas, rice, dried mushrooms, nuts in plastic containers? Also, what about opened packs enclosed in ziplock bags? Does the villages suffer from rats getting into homes? Thanks for any advice!

[VILLAGERBB]

Sounds like a fun adventure. Have you seen any telltale signs of rodents? Do you have a pest control service? I would ask them for their suggestions.

[morningfox2016]

Hi! This past winter, at night I did see a rat once outside our newly remodeled house slider glass door. It was during a lull during a rainy night. I think it may have been around 3 or 4 am in January. I did read some threads after I post this thread so, now I know others have seen rats around. I guess that's no surprise since there are thousands of wildlife around the Villages. Twice we've seen very cool snakes too: 1 tiny garden snake and one big one ( I took pictures) which a public librarian identified as one of many species (and colors) of rat snakes we have in Florida. We don't kill any wildlife because they all balance nature. But we don't want them in our attic or house when we are gone traveling. We did have our preowned home remodeled back Oct 2016 including a roof line. But I've heard such horror stories! We do our own service; monthly spraying mostly for bugs. Thanks!

[njbchbum]

May I suggest taking opened pkgs with you when you travel in that motorhome - or - store them in the microwave rather than the closet while you are away. If there is too much to store in the microwave, place it in the fridge, give it to a neighbor or throw it out!

[morningfox2016]

Thanks so much for the suggestions! Should we just leave the unopened packages there in the pantry? Or should we put them in the freezer? BTW, we have two pantries; we remodeled the house and made a second one because we are "foodies" ha, ha, ha! My DOH says we're taking all the flour (all purpose, whole wheat, semolina and chickpea etc) with us! Where is all this stuff going to fit? If there will be another motorhome in the future we better get one with tons of pantry storage! We've never been away from our home this long, only a couple of weeks to a month. Thanks again! Any idea is good! We will turn off the freezer in the garage because it get blazing hot out there facing west; don't want to worry about another appliance going kaput and dies from heat exhaustion!

[joldnol]

if there are palms, there are rats

[njbchbum]

Originally Posted by morningfox2016

Thanks so much for the suggestions! Should we just leave the unopened packages there in the pantry? Or should we put them in the freezer? snipped

When we travel the only food left in the pantry is the stuff in bottles and cans...even plastic can be no problem for the right critter. Anything we put in the fridge is put in plastic bags and only food that can be used when thawed is put in the freezer. I bought a vacuum sealer at a yard sale so that everything could be sealed that way - but it isn't really necessary if your travel isn't for any real length of time - like 6 months or so.

[Sgroemm]

1. Put all food in the refrigerator or microwave. (Never leave any in the pantry...a quiet house is an open invitation to every mouse)
2. Cover the drains in the bath, kitchen or shower with a heavy bowl. (when water is not flowing down the pipes regularly...roaches climb up)
3. Put damp rid containers in both baths on the floor so they have no chance of overflowing (buy them at home depot or walmart)
4. Put a small amount of bleach in all toilets and cover the bowl with saran wrap. (prevents evaporation) and stops mildew and water stains.
5. Turn off the water valve to both toilets (on the wall under each one in the back) (a slow leak will cost a fortune in water use)
6. Turn off the water to the washing machine and unplug an electric dryer.
7. Set the A/C on 82-85 degrees. (yes leave it on, it saves your house from mildew/mold and saves your fridge from overworking)
8. Take any frozen food you can (we often lose power during hurricane season) and put one or two ice cubes in a zip lock bag in the freezer (when you return if they are in a different shape...we lost power enough to spoil frozen food)
9. Sprinklers -lawn leave them on, shrubs and stones-turn them off. (rainy season will take care of shrubs)
10. Close the blinds/shades for the cooling effect. Leave a light on a timer for security.
11. Leave the dishwasher open a crack for air circulation and be sure to run it before you go away.
12. PUT AWAY any porch furniture/lawn ornaments/wind chimes/etc. that can become projectiles during hurricane season.
13. Unplug electric golf carts. Top off the water in their batteries if it will sit in a hot garage.
14. Put the drain plug in the garbage disposal and make sure it is as clean as possible before you leave.
15. Leave your name and number with a trusted neighbor to give you a call if they notice anything odd...garage doors have gone up mysteriously, sprinklers spring leaks....
16. Unplug the TV and any small appliances (lightning capital.....)

[BK001]

Originally Posted by Sgroemm

1. Put all food in the refrigerator or microwave. (Never leave any in the pantry...a quiet house is an open invitation to every mouse)
2. Cover the drains in the bath, kitchen or shower with a heavy bowl. (when water is not flowing down the pipes regularly...roaches climb up)
3. Put damp rid containers in both baths on the floor so they have no chance of overflowing (buy them at home depot or walmart)
4. Put a small amount of bleach in all toilets and cover the bowl with saran wrap. (prevents evaporation) and stops mildew and water stains.
5. Turn off the water valve to both toilets (on the wall under each one in the back) (a slow leak will cost a fortune in water use)
6. Turn off the water to the washing machine and unplug an electric dryer.
7. Set the A/C on 82-85 degrees. (yes leave it on, it saves your house from mildew/mold and saves your fridge from overworking)
8. Take any frozen food you can (we often lose power during hurricane season) and put one or two ice cubes in a zip lock bag in the freezer (when you return if they are in a different shape...we lost power enough to spoil frozen food)
9. Sprinklers -lawn leave them on, shrubs and stones-turn them off. (rainy season will take care of shrubs)
10. Close the blinds/shades for the cooling effect. Leave a light on a timer for security.
11. Leave the dishwasher open a crack for air circulation and be sure to run it before you go away.
12. PUT AWAY any porch furniture/lawn ornaments/wind chimes/etc. that can become projectiles during hurricane season.
13. Unplug electric golf carts. Top off the water in their batteries if it will sit in a hot garage.
14. Put the drain plug in the garbage disposal and make sure it is as clean as possible before you leave.
15. Leave your name and number with a trusted neighbor to give you a call if they notice anything odd...garage doors have gone up mysteriously, sprinklers spring leaks....
16. Unplug the TV and any small appliances (lightning capital.....)

This is great. Thank you for posting these valuable tips

[Bogie Shooter]

Looks like less than $20 worth....why worry....throw it out.

[eweissenbach]

Originally Posted by Sgroemm

1. Put all food in the refrigerator or microwave. (Never leave any in the pantry...a quiet house is an open invitation to every mouse)
2. Cover the drains in the bath, kitchen or shower with a heavy bowl. (when water is not flowing down the pipes regularly...roaches climb up)
3. Put damp rid containers in both baths on the floor so they have no chance of overflowing (buy them at home depot or walmart)
4. Put a small amount of bleach in all toilets and cover the bowl with saran wrap. (prevents evaporation) and stops mildew and water stains.
5. Turn off the water valve to both toilets (on the wall under each one in the back) (a slow leak will cost a fortune in water use)
6. Turn off the water to the washing machine and unplug an electric dryer.
7. Set the A/C on 82-85 degrees. (yes leave it on, it saves your house from mildew/mold and saves your fridge from overworking)
8. Take any frozen food you can (we often lose power during hurricane season) and put one or two ice cubes in a zip lock bag in the freezer (when you return if they are in a different shape...we lost power enough to spoil frozen food)
9. Sprinklers -lawn leave them on, shrubs and stones-turn them off. (rainy season will take care of shrubs)
10. Close the blinds/shades for the cooling effect. Leave a light on a timer for security.
11. Leave the dishwasher open a crack for air circulation and be sure to run it before you go away.
12. PUT AWAY any porch furniture/lawn ornaments/wind chimes/etc. that can become projectiles during hurricane season.
13. Unplug electric golf carts. Top off the water in their batteries if it will sit in a hot garage.
14. Put the drain plug in the garbage disposal and make sure it is as clean as possible before you leave.
15. Leave your name and number with a trusted neighbor to give you a call if they notice anything odd...garage doors have gone up mysteriously, sprinklers spring leaks....
16. Unplug the TV and any small appliances (lightning capital.....)

GREAT LIST. I have compiled a similar list with most of these things but you have some I haven't considered. I saved yours!

[morningfox2016]

Thanks for the ideas!

[morningfox2016]

Thank You for the great ideas! We certainly will do these ideas! BTW, what are "damp rid containers?" Thanks!

[BobnBev]

Tell me all about your Motorhome. We sold ours when we bought the house in the Villages. That's the only way to travel.