Storing question

[squeezingnickels]

I've been GGaming for a couple of months, and I have seriously overstocked on some items. HBA is overstocked, but that's not a problem, it'll keep! I've also overstocked PB, but since it's in sealed jars, it should keep okay until the expiration date at least!

My concern is instant oatmeal and pancake mix. The stuff I have has an expiration date a year away, so most will get used by then- I just want to check-- as long as it's used before the expiration date, I shouldn't get those horrible pantry moths, right?

I've read others store it in a freezer; I don't have room for that. I've also read some people put it in a freezer for a few days. Will that kill the eggs, or is it really just wishful thinking?

I'm going to store the envelopes of oatmeal in a big plastic tub-- that way, if they do get bugs, at least it won't spread.

Thanks! Any advise would be great!

[Sam I am]

Since I don't have freezer space to freeze pasta and flour based stuff, I place all of my boxed pasta, crackers, mixes, etc. in ziploc bags. I have a huge supply of bags and by keeping each thing boxed separate, if I do find one with bugs in it, it would at least be contained. One of these days I will get an upright freezer and be able to freeze those products, but until then I will keep them bagged.

[Megan0326]

I don't think moths care about the expiration date. I think it's more about the environment, whether you've already got eggs, etc. Can you rotate the stuff through the freezer? That's what lots of people seem to do.

[Admin Ribbonsnbows]

72 hours in the freezer will kill the "visitors" that may have come home in the package. After you have had the freeze, you can put it back on the shelf. Now, if there is anything that got missed, it may still infest the pre-frozen goodies. It doesn't prevent future attacks, just eliminates the lurking evils. HTH!

[PowerShopper]

I freeze my flour, and my bisquick. Most other things keep well enough for me that I don't often get bugs.