Kitchens can be a magical space, especially when they are filled with mouthwatering smells, delicious foods, and good company gathered.
Your kitchen should be a safe and clean place for preparing food and entertaining, but sometimes this space can attract unwanted guests.
Top 3 Kitchen Pests
Here are the top 3 pests that invade kitchens and why they are attracted to these spaces:
Ants - They are attracted to food sources, particularly sweet and greasy foods. They can enter your home through tiny cracks and gaps in search of food. Learn more about ants in our pest library.
Cockroaches – They are attracted to warm, moist environments with access to food. They can spread bacteria and trigger allergies, which makes them a serious health concern. Learn more about cockroaches.
Fruit Flies - They are attracted to ripening fruits and vegetables, as well as fermented liquids like vinegar and wine. Visit our pest library to learn more about fruit flies.
How to Prevent Ants in the Kitchen
Keep it Clean: Regularly clean countertops, floors, and cabinets to remove food crumbs and spills. Make sure to also clean under appliances, which can get very grimy very quickly.
Seal Entry Points: Inspect and seal cracks and crevices around windows, doors, and the foundation of your home.
Store Food Properly: Keep food, especially sweets, in airtight containers. Avoid leaving food out on counters and in decorative bowls.
Dispose of Garbage, Recycling & Organic Materials: Take out the trash, recycling and green bin organic waste regularly. Keep these receptacles clean and tightly sealed.
How to Prevent Cockroaches in the Kitchen
Eliminate Moisture: Fix leaky faucets and pipes and ensure there is proper ventilation in your kitchen to reduce humidity. We recommend you do this throughout your entire home.
Keep it Clean: Regularly clean and sanitize your kitchen, including areas behind appliances, to remove food particles and grease.
Seal Entry Points: Use quality caulk to seal gaps around doors, windows, and plumbing to prevent cockroaches from entering your home.
Store Food Properly: Keep food in sealed containers and avoid leaving pet food out overnight.
How to Prevent Fruit Flies in the Kitchen
Wash Produce Immediately: Fruit flies hitchhike into homes on fruits and veggies, so an effective way to prevent an annoying and frustrating issue is to inspect and wash your produce as soon as you bring it in from the farmers’ market or grocery store.
Store Produce Properly: Keep ripe fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator or in sealed containers.
Dispose of Overripe/Rotten Produce: These are breeding grounds for fruit flies so by removing overripe and rotten produce from your home, you will help avoid attracting them.
Clean & Sanitize the Kitchen & Drains: Regularly deep clean kitchen, drains and garbage disposals to remove food debris that can attract fruit flies.
Pro Advice - Fruit flies are a sanitation issue so if you do end up having issues with them, you can almost always fully eliminate them through implementing proper, consistent sanitation practices AND eliminating their food and breeding sources. Learn more about how to get rid of fruit flies.
Pest Control Solutions for Ants, Cockroaches & Fruit Flies
By maintaining a clean kitchen (and home), and taking preventative measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of ant infestations, cockroach infestations, and fruit fly infestations. By following these tips, you will also help prevent other pest infestations too!
If you need any professional pest control help, contact our team of pest control experts! Environmental Pest Control has been resolving pest issues in homes, businesses, and cottages since 1988. With over 3 decades of experience, knowledge, and expertise for how to expertly manage, control, and eliminate serious and common nuisance pests, you can be confident that you contacted the right professional pest control company.
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