Bug control is a major issue for a lot of households and most people make the mistake of letting the problem fester until they have a full-on infestation on their hands.
At the end of the day, no-one wants to live with these pesky pests, so I’ve decided to share some tips on how to get rid of bugs in the kitchen. This way, you don’t end up with food poisoning due to germs brought into your pantry by a bug infestation.
With these tips, you’ll be able to get rid of a myriad of kitchen bugs, including the biggest culprits; ants and cockroaches.
Try to Avoid Fruit Flies
Fruit flies are the most common type of kitchen bugs and they’re these small little insects that like to fly around your food. As the name implies, these bugs love fruit whether it’s leftover scraps in the garbage can or fruit placed on the counter - they don’t discriminate.
Luckily, fruit flies aren’t known disease carriers but that doesn’t mean they’re not annoying or that you want to have around. They can still spread bacteria. After all, they’re not going to brush their teeth or wash their hands as they go from the garbage to your counter. It’s all in a day’s work for them.
Prevention is cure when it comes to getting rid of fruit flies and you want to make sure that they don’t have anything to feed on. This means no more displaying food on the counter.
Place food in the fridge instead of the counter and keep trash bags tightly closed and take them out regularly as required. Clean the garbage disposal area and keep your countertops spotless.
Get Rid of Small Insects
A wet drain is highly attractive to all types of small insects because it’s like a water hole for them. The problem arises when they start laying eggs on it and calling it home because of the food that passes through it as you wash dishes.
Look out for tiny black bugs that like to hang out on the kitchen sink specifically, as they’re usually a sign of food debris stuck inside the drain.
Again, the best way to get rid of these bugs is to starve them of their food source. Use a plumber’s brush to clean the u-trap located under the sink and give the pipe a good scrub-down too. Then, screw the plumbing components back in place before rinsing the whole area with water.
Remove Pantry Moths
Pantry moths are often found in pantry food where they like to lay eggs and nest. To get rid of them, you’ll need to inspect every nook, cranny, and corner in search of these critters and get rid of all the traps.
Wash all the food containers that are in your pantry to get rid of all the eggs that may have been left behind, as well as the stubborn larva.
To prevent any future moth infestations, inspect the pantry thoroughly and always check the food before you buy it or place it in the fridge to destroy the larva. Pantry moths are known to spread bacteria, so avoid them at all costs.
Prevent Ants from Entering Your Kitchen
Ants travel in large groups, so if you see one or two around, then there are usually hundreds of them not far behind. Most ants can be trapped, especially carpenter or the large black variety.
You’ll also need to get rid of any infested food and do your best to exterminate any ants that you yourself see as well. Wipe down surfaces regularly to avoid giving the ants a source of water and always keep food in airtight containers.
Prevention is always the best policy when it comes to dealing with kitchen bugs because that’s how you avoid an all-out infestation. Now you know how to get rid of pantry bugs there’s no need for you to ever tolerate having bugs in your home.
Need some help dealing with a bug infestation in your home? Call a local pest control company and request a free quote!
