There are many different techniques you can use, from traps, insecticides, to safe for kitchen pesticides, to DIY and make your own natural bug repellents.
Along with these methods, calling a professional pest control expert to help rid your kitchen of bugs is another viable, and often the right option to take.
Natural and store-bought safe for kitchen pesticides are great if you only have one or two bugs, but if you are worried about an infestation, then calling in the professionals is the right choice to make.
In this article, we will discuss the following:
- How to prevent bugs from getting into your kitchen.
- What methods work with which bug and what won’t cut it?
- What options are safe to use in your kitchen near your food?
- What are some natural remedies to help keep your kitchen bug free?
- Some easy DIY recipes for natural insect repellent
- When to call in a pest control specialist?
How to prevent bugs from getting into your kitchen?
No house will ever be 100% bugproof but you can make it next to impossible for bugs to take up permanent residence in your kitchen.
Keep a tidy, clean, and well-maintained kitchen/home
Keep your kitchen tidy. Wipe down countertops regularly, keep bins empty, and sweep up any food particles right away, as well as regularly cleaning out the inside of your cupboards.
Many kitchen pests, like cockroaches, ants, and silverfish like dark, moist places. Repair any leaky taps and unclog any backed-up drains to help avoid pest issues.
Clean out your sinks regularly and don’t let dirty dishes pile up for long periods.
Seal up any cracks or crevices around the exterior of your home. Use a silicone-based caulk, steel wool, or a combination of both.
Proper food storage
Just as important as keeping your kitchen tidy is keeping your pantry items stored properly. It’s always best to keep items like flours, dried fruits, granola, and the like in airtight glass jars or plastic containers with lids. This helps pests not have access to food.
Other tips to help prevent a kitchen bug infestation
You may not realize, but pests can also be brought in via your pets. Check them regularly for any signs of nasty pests, like fleas and slugs, which can get stuck in their fur.
What methods work with which kitchen pest and what doesn’t work at all?
Different extermination methods don’t always work with every pest. It’s best to identify what bug you are finding in your kitchen, so you know how to handle the infestation.
Beetles, weevils, and moths
These pests are stored food pests, and the most effective method of getting rid of these is by getting rid of the infested product or products.
Simply, seal them in a plastic bag and throw them in your outside bin. Vacuum any remaining debris, then change the bag right away and throw the vacuum bag in the outside bin as well.
Then clean the cupboards thoroughly with warm, soapy water. Traps are also another good way to help get rid of stored food pests.
Spilled food pests
Pests like ants, silverfish, and firebrats require a slightly different approach. These creepy critters come into our homes from the outside and forage for food.
Traps also work for these bugs but instead of throwing out infested food, you got to keep your kitchen tidy and the floors clean.
Cockroaches and serious infestations
If you notice one or two cockroaches, then boric acid or Diatomaceous Earth can rid you of them with no problem. Never step on a cockroach because it can spread its eggs.
One egg case can have anywhere from 16-30 nymphs inside.
A cockroach and other serious infestations of any kitchen bugs usually require professional pest control experts. Cockroaches are notoriously hard to get rid of and pose health risks to humans, so it’s best to get expert help for these pests.
What doesn’t work
Pretending that you don’t have a pest problem will not work. If you notice bugs, then investigate and clean it up immediately. If it gets too bad, call in an expert to help fix the problem.
What pest control options are safe to use in the kitchen?
Natural products that aren’t pesticides are always safe to use in the kitchen, however, they vary in effectiveness. It is not recommended to use any insecticides near food preparation areas.
Using pesticide-free traps, boric acid, and good sanitation and storage practices is the best way to keep your kitchen pest-free.
What are some natural remedies to help keep your kitchen bug free?
Since pesticides are a big no-no in the kitchen, using natural remedies to help keep bugs at bay is a helpful tool, along with proper cleaning, sanitation, and storage of pantry goods.
Here are some natural remedies to help keep kitchen pests at bay:
- Bay leaves– The pungent smell is enough to keep most bugs out of your kitchen. Stick a bay leaf on top of all your dried goods before sealing them in their airtight containers.
- Essential oils– oils like lavender, eucalyptus, citronella, and peppermint can be used to deter kitchen bugs
- Basil– another natural insect repellent
- Vinegar– is a natural cleaner and when combined with dish detergent it makes an excellent insect repellent, especially for fruit flies
- Diatomaceous Earth (Food-grade)-a natural substance sourced from fossilised plankton. It has a variety of uses, including drying out the external layer of a bug’s skin causing death. It is safe for use around humans but must be purchased from a reputable source.
- Salt- Salt water can be used to deter ants and other sugar loving insects.
- Cinnamon– can also be used to deter ants
How to make easy DIY insect repellent
Most of the natural substances named above can be mixed with water and made into sprays.
Vinegar:
You can make a solution of 50% white vinegar and 50% water and pour it over where you saw ants in your kitchen. The smell washes away the scent trail left by other ants, preventing more ants from finding your kitchen
If you have fruit flies in your kitchen, put some apple cider vinegar in a bowl, cover it in cling film and then punch a few pencil holes in the top and leave out. The fruit flies will become trapped and won’t be able to fly back out.
Using a vinegar spray as a cleanser will help keep your house bug-free for weeks.
Salt spray
Similar to the recipe above, dissolve salt in some water, at a 1 to 1 ratio and put in a spray bottle. Spray anywhere you think bugs are getting in or if you notice ant trails.
You can also add 15-20 drops of peppermint essential oil to make it even more of a bug repellent.
You can also sprinkle salt in your windowsills to help keep slugs at bay.
Essential oil spray
Pick a strong-smelling essential oil you enjoy. Lemongrass, eucalyptus, peppermint, citronella, tea tree, and lavender are all options you can use.
Mix 25-30 drops in about 1 cup of water and put in an empty spray bottle. Spray anywhere you think bugs are getting into your house.
You can also have windowsill plants, like rosemary and basil, whose strong smell will help repel bugs.
When to call in a pest control specialist?
One or two bugs occasionally is not a major problem and can usually be sorted out by you, through the methods listed above.
However, if you keep seeing bugs even after you have cleaned and used some insect repellent methods, then it’s time to call in the professionals.
A professional pest control expert will come and investigate your kitchen, looking for signs of pest damage, moisture accumulation from leaky pipes, etc.
If you have a kitchen bug problem, he or she will determine what kind of pest infestation you have and recommend the proper course of treatment for the issue at hand.
How to choose a reputable pest control agency?
It’s important that you choose the right pest control agency for the job at hand. There are few things you should look for when making your choice:
- The right company should have the proper accreditations and qualifications. When companies are verified by governing bodies, it shows that they are qualified to carry out their work in a safe, effective manner
- How much experience does the pest control team have? Generally, the more experience in the field, the better equipped they are to handle your pest problem
- Look at their testimonials and customer reviews. A good company will have these posted on their website. You can also get a feel for the company by talking to any friends and relatives and getting their feedback.
Conclusion
Kitchen pests are a part of life. Using at-home DIY methods is great for ridding your home of a few bugs. If you have an infestation, call a pest professional.
Alright, that’s it for this article, here are a few hand-selected articles that you might also find interesting reads:
The WORST House Hold Pest YOU SHOULD REALLY KNOW ABOUT!Is Pest Control Worth It – Pros and Cons With Real Examples
Which Pests can Peppermint Repel?
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