Prevention and Management of Kitchen Pests

Every homeowner should prioritize keeping the household pests out of their kitchen entirely to ensure their family’s health and safety

The kitchen is the room that pests are most likely to invade in a home. The kitchen is where the food is prepared and stored, and piles of dirty dishes accumulate. It is the ideal room that offers them everything they need for survival. 

These pesky critters can chew through the boxes, leave their droppings, contaminate the food, spread dangerous diseases, damage the food, and leave the kitchen environment unsanitary for cooking and other activities. Therefore, every homeowner should prioritize keeping the household pests out of their kitchen entirely to ensure their family’s health and safety. This article focuses on some common kitchen pests, their threats, and the best ways to prevent an infestation.

Cockroaches

Several species of cockroaches can infest the kitchen as they are attracted to pet food, moisture, grease, food debris, and clutter readily available in the kitchen. These pests can make their way through even the tiniest openings or hitchhike on grocery bags, boxes, and pets. Cockroaches are annoying pests and one of the most difficult to manage. They multiply very fast, carry harmful bacteria, and can trigger allergies. 

Rodents

Rodents are another common kitchen pest that can wreak havoc and spread diseases. Food, shelter, and clutter cause them to enter kitchens. They access homes through small gaps and openings in the foundation, walls, windows, and pipes. Rodents chew through food boxes, wood, and even electrical wiring to expose the home to fire risk. In addition, they can spread dangerous diseases like salmonella and hantavirus.

Ants

Ants are tiny insects attracted to food and moisture. They are opportunistic feeders and once they enter the kitchen, getting rid of them is extremely difficult. Furthermore, they can link their ant colonies to the food source after finding it, making the infestation even more dangerous. Besides being an annoyance, ants can spread bacteria, attract other pests, and cause structural damage. 

Flies

Sewage systems, drain pipes, doors, windows, and floor and wall cracks are common entry points for flies. In addition, grease, grime, food, moisture, and other organic matter can attract flies to the kitchen. Flies carry many diseases, and eliminating their breeding site is essential to prevent health problems.

Kitchen pest prevention tips

Here are a few valuable tips to prevent these kitchen pests from creating a nuisance:

• Avoid leaving any crumbs on the tables and countertops. Wipe and clean any spills of leftovers immediately after meals.

• Use tightly sealed containers to store food, including pet food.

• Avoid leaving dishes in the sink overnight.

• Always use a trash can with a tightly secured lid and remove garbage regularly.

• Seal all possible pest entry points.

• Periodically check pipes under the kitchen sink.

• Keep the kitchen and pantry as clean as possible.

• Utilize the space in the fridge and freezer to store food products.

• Avoid cluttering the kitchen.

Hire professionals

Call a pest control service to offer efficient solutions to all common kitchen pest problems. Pest control professionals offer pest proofing services with traditional methods to keep stubborn kitchen pests at bay. The pros will find and seal all entry points and use baits and sprays to control their infestation. Experts and experienced professionals know the habits of different pests and use them proactively to prevent them from entering the homes.

Kinder Safe Pest Solutions offers 17 years of experience in commercial and residential pest control serving Manatee and Sarasota counties. Call (941)254-2180 today!