The kitchen is largest gathering place for pests in a residential home. The reason is simple: pests can grab a bite to eat and take a sip of water while they're here. And when they find such a bountiful place, they will return home to their nests and report the finding - before you know it, your whole pantry is a buffet for ants! The problem could get even worse if a piece of food falls somewhere and begins to rot. Similarly, fruit and vegetables you bring into your home may be harboring unseen pests waiting to hatch.
It can seem like a daunting task to keep your kitchen pest free in the heart of summer, but with a few tips you can rid your home of ants, cockroaches, mice, moths and other common household pests.
Remove trash regularly
Large families tend to fill up trash cans frequently - so it's fairly easy to remember to take out the trash. But smaller families or individuals may take longer to fill up the trash. Nevertheless, these receptacles should be emptied regularly. Failure to do so may lead to the smell of rotting food attracting unwanted visitors. The same goes for trash cans located outside the home. The summer heat can make the trash smell worse and attract more to the area. The Huffington Post suggested waiting to throw out meat until about 48 hours before trash pickup.
Clean your drains
Water and slime can build up in your pipes if they are not cleaned regularly. While this might not present an immediate problem, it can cause unpleasant smells. Worse, it could lead to a leak in the pipe, which is sure to attract insects. Before you need to call a professional pest control service, make sure to clean your pipes. SFGate recommended pouring a solution of half a cup of baking soda down the drain followed by 1/2 a cup of white vinegar. Then, seal the top of the drain, wait 30 minutes, and carefully flush with boiling water.
Clean up spills immediately
Spilled food and drinks need to be cleaned up as soon as they happen, especially foods containing sugar. While it's easy to remember to clean up big spills, this also goes for food that might have spilled in the fridge or on the stovetop. After you're done cooking, take the time to check for spills before going to relax.
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About the author:
Abell Pest Control is a family owned Canadian company dedicated to providing effective, professional and courteous service in pest management.Started in 1924 with one office, Abell now employs several hundred people with branch offices across Canada and the United States.
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