Pest Proofing Your Kitchen – Stop The Problem Before It Begins
A kitchen is often the center of the home that everyone uses for everything from eating and cooking to socializing. The last thing anyone wants to see in that space are pests! For any homeowner, pests plain cannot stay in this space: for instance, “Pestworld.org” says cockroaches spread 33 kinds of bacteria including E coli and salmonella. Cockroaches can also contain parasitic worms and more than seven other types of human pathogens, so why would you want that in your kitchen? So what are some ways to prevent that from happening? They all circle around keeping our kitchen as clutter-free as possible!
Crumbs, Dishes And Trash, Oh My!
The benefits of keeping a clean home is not only surface-level; it means that you are starving and kicking out any potential pests who want to come into your home and never leave. Loose food and crumbs are obviously bad for your kitchen – but it’s not just on the floor. Standing water in the kitchen sink, or in: bowls, plates and drinking glasses is an open invitation to pests. This is one of the first duties you should when pest proofing your kitchen, an almost daily duty at that, and that’s according to the EPA.
You also have to consider clutter in the kitchen. Some may see it as harmless, but it can be a perfect home to visiting bugs and encourage them to stay. It starts with limiting meals to the kitchen or dining room, then make sure the food isn’t left out overnight.
Speaking of food, another question to ask yourself: “Where am I storing my garbage?” If the answer is “Close to the back door” or “in the kitchen” then think again! Experts at the EPA say your garbage cans should be placed far away from your home’s doors. That way, if any bugs come close to your trash cans, they won’t get into your home. Also, make sure your garbage cans are not overflowing and that your trash bags are tied up. That sweet smell of trash is only too enticing for bugs. Before tossing out those cans or sources of food, give them a quick wash. Although it may be a pain; the cleaner your trash, the better.
“Hide” Your Food
When it comes to storing food, be sure those storage locations are clean; cabinets can be another hiding spot for pests because there’s plenty of scrap food that is lying in the dark for most of the day. Make sure you’re putting leftovers back in the fridge in a sealed container; the EPA says that will hide the smell of food from potential intruders. Another way to store food that will help keep your kitchen pest-free: put it in the freezer! It’s an environment that most pests cannot survive in, so you’ll know it’s safe and not attracting attention.
You Might Have More Doors Than You Think
Something else to be on the lookout for – holes. It may sound silly, but The Penn State Extension says a rat can fit through a hole the size of a quarter, and a mouse can fit through a hole the size of a dime! So be sure to look at the walls, ceilings, floors, and around pipes and wires; those are potential points of entry for mice or rats.
Another thing to be on the lookout for are cracks in the walls of your home, especially near the kitchen. Those should be sealed up with glue or caulk – it’s absolutely essential in order to keep ants out, especially.
Pests are inevitable for homeowners: but those bugs earned the pest title because they can cause serious harm to you and your loved ones. The most vulnerable place in the home is the kitchen, so that is where you should focus the most on. Keeping food and waste clear and contained properly, keeping the space clean and clutter-free are the best things you can do to keep it bug-free but remember, pest proofing your kitchen only does so much. There are plenty of other rooms to consider, and luckily for you, our expert technicians are here to held morning, noon and night.
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