There are loads of issues to like in regards to the summertime — seashore days and ice cold drinks and treats are my private favorites. There is one wrongdoer, nevertheless, that may destroy even probably the most memorable of summer season days: bugs! Dealing with bugs isn’t a enjoyable activity — particularly in the event that they’re taking on your kitchen.
In an effort to keep away from these pesky kitchen pests now that the warmth has arrived, I made a decision to achieve out to a couple consultants for his or her finest tricks to stop bugs from coming into your property — and what to do in the event that they’ve already arrange camp. If you’ve ever encountered ants whilst you’re getting ready your pasta salad, or seen fruit flies invading your fruit basket, then the following pointers are for you. Below are the most typical pests that’ll attempt to get into your kitchen this summer season — and cease them.
Although ants are fairly frequent, getting rid of them isn’t at all times as simple as it could appear. “Preventative measures are always the first plan of attack when keeping these common kitchen pests at bay,” says Dan Stockslager, pest management skilled and Georgia-based area supervisor for Orkin. “Eliminating food sources and moisture, along with sealing entry points, forms the cornerstone of successful pest prevention in kitchens.”
To keep away from what generally is a extended course of, each Stockslager and Laura Ascher, cleansing skilled and founding father of Our Oily House, advocate cleansing up meals immediately as nicely. “Ants are able to follow a scent trail to food, which means you may see them on countertops, in and around cabinets, or even along baseboards,” says Stockslager. “Seal gaps, cracks, and crevices around windows, doors, and utility areas where ants and other crawling pests might enter. Make sure screens are without holes and properly fitted to doors and windows.”
As a DIY safety measure, Ascher recommends a simple peppermint spray: “Combine 5 to 10 drops of peppermint oil in a 4-ounce spray bottle, top it off with water, and spray along baseboards, around outside door frames, and on windowsills,” she says. “This DIY spray is very effective at keeping ants away, but it also helps repel pantry moths, roaches, and even spiders. However, it’s important to keep in mind that many indoor pets — especially cats — don’t like the scent of peppermint.”
“Fruit flies tend to hover around overripe or decaying produce such as fruit baskets, trash cans, and sink drains, so always make sure to throw out those items, wipe your countertops, sweep your kitchen floors, keep the trash can lid closed, and wash your sink and drains every few days,” she says.
Meal moths, in addition to different pantry pests like rice weevils, have a tendency to cover in darkish areas reminiscent of pantries and cupboards. Ascher says they’re notably frequent close to grains or dry items reminiscent of flour, cornmeal, rice, and even pet meals. In addition to keeping your pantry organized and clear frequently, Stockslager says inspection is essential in stopping meal moths.
“During summer, more closely watch your kitchens and pantries to catch early signs of an infestation,” he says. “Always inspect the produce, grains, and flours before storing them away.” Ascher suggests complete clove sachets as an efficient and pure safety measure for meal moths. “This helps deter pantry pests before they even make an appearance,” she says.
One of the extra ugly kitchen pests, cockroaches tend to be better at hiding and due to this fact tougher to remove. Stockslager says they’re largely interested in darkish, moist environments, and like different pests, will observe any meals path.
“Cockroaches love to hide in tight, dark spaces, so you’ll see them running out from beneath refrigerators or behind appliances as well as into wall cracks or crevices that offer moisture and food residue, like near sink pipes,” he says. “Immediately clean up crumbs, spills, and food residue from countertops, floors, and sinks. Also, repair leaks promptly and eliminate standing water around sinks and dishwashers, and use proper ventilation in areas prone to dampness.”
It could be tempting to open your kitchen door or window on a sunny day, however Ascher and Stockslager advocate rethinking that to keep away from houseflies. While sticky traps would possibly do the trick for trapping one or two, Ascher says it’s finest to deal with protecting doorways closed, and ensuring there are not any crumbs or meals disregarded. “This includes dog and cat food!” she says.
Additionally, Stockslager recommends recurrently taking out the trash and cleaning both the trash and recycling bins to remove food odors, in addition to protecting meals in hermetic containers and by no means leaving open meals containers on the kitchen counter.
If you’re coping with a extreme infestation of any of those frequent kitchen pests, or perhaps you’ve simply exhausted each DIY methodology, Stockslager says it could be time to name within the professionals. “It’s important to have a trained expert diagnose your individual case and come up with the best treatment option,” he says.
The Best Editor-Tested Summer Pest Products
If you wish to name in one thing a little bit stronger in your pest drawback (earlier than contacting an skilled), then you definately’ve come to the fitting place. Below are editors’ and contributors’ favourite examined merchandise that preserve their kitchens bug-free all summer season lengthy.
