Unless you enjoy chocolate-covered ants, the kitchen is probably the last place you want to find pests. They can chew through boxes, eat your food and litter the drawers with feces. Fortunately, there are many steps you can take to prevent them from infesting a kitchen. You might even reduce your food and energy bills in the process.
1. Keep more of your food in the refrigerator or freezer. Few pests can find their way into these appliances. Cereal and dried fruit last longer when refrigerated, but don’t put your bananas in there!
2. When possible, buy food that comes in cans or jars. Bugs and rodents can chew through plastic bags, paper and cardboard without much difficulty. Bagged frozen food is also a good option.
3. Store items like peanuts, cookies and crackers in glass jars or sturdy plastic bins. Some pests prefer a sugary diet, but all types of food are at risk. Such containers also prevent foods from going stale.
4. Use a glue or caulking gun to seal up any cracks that insects could use as entryways. This technique is particularly useful for keeping ants out of the kitchen. Be sure to seal adjacent rooms as well.
5. Look at the water pipes under your kitchen sink. If the holes in the floor are wider than the pipes, they might provide an entrance for ants or cockroaches. Seal them with caulk or spray foam.
6. Inspect cabinets and look behind appliances for potential rodent entryways. Mice can squeeze through a hole as narrow as a pencil. You can use steel wool to fill rodent holes.
7. Remember to clean your kitchen more frequently than other rooms. Tiny crumbs on the floor and counter can attract pests. To reduce the need for cleaning, try not to place dirty utensils on the counter.
8. Rather than letting them pile up, wash a small batch of dishes each day. Ants and flies often feed on food residues. Don’t forget to rinse dishes before putting them in the sink or dishwasher.
9. Compost bins and trash cans frequently attract hungry insects; keep them away from food storage areas. Consider putting your compost in the freezer to reduce odors and deny access to pests.
10. If your kitchen has a range hood with an exhaust fan, make sure it was installed correctly. It should have a filter and a damper that closes when the fan is off.
Although these tips often prove helpful, it isn’t always possible to prevent a kitchen infestation. Some insects are surprisingly persistent about finding even the smallest traces of edibles. Others feed on things like wood, wallpaper glue or fabric. Contact us at ABC if you need professional pest control services in San Antonio.
Comments
Yes it is true your kitchen contains the most food in your home, it’s natural that pests would find their way in to try and munch on your leftovers.
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