When it comes to tiny black bugs in the kitchen, cleaning up is just the first step to getting rid of them. The best way to keep them gone is to figure out what they are and employ countermeasures.
Every type of ‘tiny black bug’ has its interests, habitats, and deterrents. Here are some things you need to know about getting rid of these pests once and for all.
- How to Identify Tiny Black Bugs
- Locating Their Origin Point
- Special Cleaning Measures You Can Use
- Safe Solutions for Insect Repellents
- The Best Way To Use Chemical Deterrents
- When You Need to Call Professional Exterminators
How Can I Identify These Little Black Bugs?
If you can catch an intact specimen, you can request the assistance of an expert near you. Exterminators and entomologists can both tell you what kind of pest you’ve got.
Pictures can also help, but it can be difficult to get a clear enough shot to be useful.
Take notes of where you find them, what they seem to be drawn to, and how they act. Even if you don’t have an expert handy, the internet or local library can provide information.
What Are The Most Likely Bugs To See on Kitchen Counters?
Pantry pests are one of the most common, especially in and around food storage areas. This group includes moths, grain mites, weevils, and small beetles.
Gnats, Ghost Ants, and Springtails are also commonly seen as invaders. Gnats and Springtails are more likely to be found in or around sinks, drains, and disposals.
Ghost Ants are very small, very fast ants that often appear wherever there are crumbs or dirty dishes. Their small size makes them hard to keep out.
How Do I Find Where The Bugs Are Getting In?
Gnats and Springtails usually come through the pipes from outside. They like standing water sources and the food residue often found in sinks and disposals.
Ghost Ants, like other species of ants, often form a trail from one place to the other. Follow the trail back to find their entry point, and their nest if possible.
Pantry Pests are fairly hard to track because they can get in at any point of food processing and packaging. Keep a lookout for bugs near windows and food storage locations in warm weather.
What Is The Process To Getting Rid of Little Black Bugs?
The first step is doing a thorough cleaning. Eliminating dirty dishes, wiping down counters, cleaning out appliances, and sweeping the floor…all of these are important measures.
Once that’s done, you can move on to specialized measures for specific types of pests.
What Should I Do About Pantry Pests?
Take everything out of the pantry, and wash down the shelves, walls, and floor. Warm water, soap, and a small amount of bleach should be used for the greatest effectiveness.
Check each item from your pantry for signs of contamination. Look for holes in packaging, black specks, or live insects.
Dispose of any contaminated food items in a well-sealed trash container. Repackage any uncontaminated food in airtight containers before returning it to the pantry.
What Should I Do About Gnats and Springtails?
Empty any sources of standing water. Be particularly careful to clean out the sink, and the garbage disposal if you have one.
Clean out the pipes below the sink and disposal. You can use a pipe snake or chemical cleaners to accomplish this.
Pipe snakes are recommended in order to clean out hard-to-access corners and bends in the pipes.
What Should I Do For Ghost Ants?
Before you do a deep cleaning, take note of where their entry points are. There may be several, so take your time and note each one.
After you’ve finished cleaning, go around and seal the entry points as best you can. Take time to look around outside for the main nest so you can eliminate them at the source.
If there are entry points you can’t seal, or you are unable to find the nest, place deterrents and traps in locations where they can come through.
What Are Recommended Methods to Keep Tiny Black Bugs Away?
When considering pest control methods for the kitchen, you want to look at methods that don’t interfere with food preparations. Ideal methods of pest control are those that are not dangerous if ingested.
Can I Use Bleach or Borax?
Bleach and Borax can be used as cleaning agents. They can also be used as deterrents, but they aren’t highly recommended, because they are unsafe.
If you do use Bleach or Borax, use a diluted formula, and make sure your food preparation surfaces are dry before you begin using them.
What is Diatomaceous Earth and How Do I Use It?
Diatomaceous earth is an abrasive soil formed from the skeletons of aquatic animals called diatoms. It kills insects by drying out their exoskeletons.
Choose food-grade diatomaceous earth for use in the kitchen. Sprinkle it around the edges of the counters and the baseboards to keep bugs away.
Food-grade diatomaceous earth is safe around children and pets.
Can I Use Vinegar Or Baking Soda to Deter Little Black Bugs?
Vinegar comes highly recommended for repelling most insects, because of its pungent odor. Experts recommend washing the counters in a diluted vinegar solution to keep insects away.
Baking soda can also be used, particularly for ants.
With baking soda, you can use it in a solution with oil and water to spray counters. There are multiple recipes on the internet, so it’s a matter of finding the right option for you.
Another method is to mix baking soda with sugar or syrup, to form a sort of bait. Once consumed, the baking soda will work to kill the insects from within.
What Are Some Other All-Natural Ways to Repel Little Black Bugs?
There are a number of herbs and oils that are recommended for all-natural bug repellents. Many of these have the added benefit of making your kitchen smell good.
What Herbs Are Recommended to Repel Little Black Bugs?
Bay leaves are the most common recommendation. Whole leaves release a bitter odor that most insects dislike.
Garlic is known to have a similar effect. Both herbs are considered excellent repellents for pantry pests and ants.
What Oils Are Recommended to Repel Little Black Bugs?
Peppermint oil is one of the most popular oils to use for repelling bugs. It’s both effective and pleasant smelling.
Lemon Essential Oil, Clove Oil. and Neem Oil are also frequently used. All of them are effective, safe for food preparation surfaces, and leave a pleasant odor in the kitchen.
When using oils, you can use a diluted version as a cleaning solution, or apply a stronger solution around the edges of counters and baseboards as a deterrent.
What Are Chemical Options for Killing or Repelling Little Black Bugs?
Chemical options are a little riskier to use, as they may not be safe to apply to food preparation surfaces. However, there are some solutions that are advised for persistent pest infestations.
The most common choice is Raid brand spray or gel. Raid sprays and gels are specifically formulated to get rid of certain types of bugs, most notably ants.
Experts and manufacturers recommend applying the spray around the baseboards and edges of the kitchen. You need to be careful, however, to keep it away from dishes and food preparation surfaces.
Gels are generally applied as bait in strategic locations. Place little gel spots or gel-based traps at entry points or near commonly infested areas and wait for them to go to work.
Can I Use Foggers In the Kitchen to Get Rid of Little Black Bugs?
Using foggers is a risky business, but it does have the benefit of being fairly thorough. If you choose to use a fogger, be careful to take certain precautions.
Be sure to remove food, utensils, and dishes from the kitchen. Make sure none of them are contaminated or at risk of contamination, then store them in a safe place.
What Should I Do With Appliances and Storage Spaces Before I Use a Fogger to Eliminate Bugs?
Open cabinets, drawers, stove, dishwasher, and any other large appliances. Appliances like toasters should be removed with the dishes and utensils.
For appliances like refrigerators that may be impractical to open or empty, Make sure the edges and openings are sealed to the best of your ability.
Are There Any Steps I Should Take After I Use the Fogger?
Be sure to follow all the directions on the fogger container. Once the fogger has done its work, give the kitchen plenty of time to air out.
You may want to wipe down food preparation surfaces before using your kitchen again. Foggers often contain chemicals that are hazardous for humans.
What Can I Do If These Methods Don’t Work to Get Rid of Little Black Bugs?
If none of these methods work, there may be other factors affecting the effectiveness of your methods. Whatever the problem is, it’s probably something that will take expert eyes to sort out.
If none of the home remedies or chemical elimination methods work, it’s time to call in the exterminators.
In Conclusion…
If you’re having a problem with little black bugs on your kitchen counter, you have plenty of options for getting rid of them and keeping them away.
Whether your preference is all-natural remedies or stronger methods, you should have no trouble finding your way to a bug-free kitchen.
Alright, that’s it for this article, here are a few hand-selected articles that you might also find interesting reads:
Small, Tiny White Bugs in My House – What Are They?How Do I Get Rid of Little Black Bugs in My House? 3 Easy Steps
Small, Tiny Brown Bugs in My House – What Are They?
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