Picture this, you’re in your kitchen trying to cook or enjoy a delicious meal, and suddenly you spot a bug, now you’re wondering if you have an infestation in your kitchen. If this is you wondering, keep on reading to see what to look out for and how to get control of a pest problem in your kitchen.
Why are pests attracted to your kitchen?
The answer is simple, survival of the fittest. Pests love your kitchen because it has the essential surviving elements: food, water, and shelter. You know those little nooks and crannies in your kitchen, yea… great places for pests to find shelter and call their own, not to mention the easy access to food, food waste, and the warmth your kitchen appliances provide, makes pests feel right at home. Additionally, having a leaky faucet or any appliances that use water can accumulate moisture and attract insects, while cluttered cupboards or pantries attract rodents.
Types of pests you will find in your kitchen
Flies
Whether they’re house flies or fruit flies these insects can be quite annoying and sometimes hard to fully get rid of.
- Can vary in color but typically black, brown, or green.
- Forward-facing, large round eyes
- Typically found near food, trash cans, or windows
Ants
Ants usually come indoors in search of food, even small amounts of crumbs can attract a horde of ants. If you are trying to determine whether or not you have ants in your home here are a few characteristics you should look out for:
- Six legs
- Black, Brown, or Red in color
- Antennae
- Usually between ⅓”- ½” in size
Cockroaches
One of the most common kitchen insects. An infestation of cockroaches could be health code violations for restaurant and commercial kitchens because of the bacteria and allergens they carry.
- Usually reddish-brown in color
- Can move very quickly
- About 1-2 inches long
- Prefer dark, moist areas
Pantry Pests
These pests consist of weevils, merchant grain beetles, and Indian meal moths. These pantry pests know what they’re looking for so they tend to gravitate toward cabinets and pantries due to their specific food palates. When these are found there most likely is an infestation and it’s best to throw or freeze all food stored where they are found to fully kill all larvae.
- Usually found in or around countertops, cupboards, and pantries.
- Sometimes found inside food packages.
- Attracted to foods with higher fats, flour, or grains.
Rodents
Rodents are also regular kitchen invaders. Like most people, preventing a rodent infestation won’t even cross your mind until you’re faced with one. So if you’re wondering how to know what to look out for, here are some signs of an infestation in your kitchen:
- Gnawed or chewed through holes in your walls
- Droppings found under your sink, in cabinets, or near food packages
- Holes or signs of chewing through food packages
5 Tips to a Pest-Free Kitchen
Wondering how to get rid of or prevent pests from making your kitchen their home? Here is how:
- Routinely clean: Clean up any messes after cooking or eating, clear out old and expired food, and wipe down all surfaces as often as possible, while some crumbs may not seem like a big deal, they can serve as a feast for unwanted ants.
- Organize: Store your food in tightly sealed containers and make sure all kitchenware is neatly put away. This will leave pests less likely to feel at home in your kitchen.
- Stop or fix leaky faucets and pipes to prevent moisture from accumulating.
- Repair any damaged screens on windows and add door sweeps.
- Contact a licensed pest professional.
Call Us
If you notice or are struggling to get control of your pest problem contact Tactical Pest Services for any pest control services you need, whether it is to get ahead to prevent the problem, or to get control of your pest problem. Our highly trained professionals are here to help!
