Home insects like house flies, ants, termites, wood borers, cockroaches, and mosquitoes somehow tend to make their way into our homes. More than any other room of the house, their presence can be riskier in the kitchen, where we prepare three meals a day. So, it is important to make your kitchen free of small insects through professional pest control or DIY home remedies.
So, how to get rid of insects in kitchen? This may seem a difficult task, but you may rely on some natural ingredients found in our kitchens to repel different types of pests and small insects.
Worry no more about the home remedies to get rid of kitchen pests, as we are here to acquaint you with some natural ways to get rid of small insects from your kitchen.
Also Read: Dangerous insects in India
List of 9 Common Pest and Small Insects in Kitchen
Before discussing the home remedies for small insects in kitchen have a look at the common insects found in the kitchen.
- Ants
- House flies
- Cockroaches
- Wood Borers
- Termites
- Spiders
- Moths
- Beetles
- Rats and Mice
Why Insects are Attracted to the Kitchen?
- Food sources: Kitchens provide an ample supply of food crumbs, spills, and open containers that insects like ants, cockroaches, and flies find irresistible. These insects are highly adaptable and can feed on a wide range of organic matter.
- Moisture: Many insects, such as silverfish and certain species of ants, are attracted to moisture-rich environments. Kitchens often have water sources from sinks, leaky pipes, or damp areas, providing an ideal habitat for these pests.
- Warmth: Insects are ectothermic, meaning they rely on external sources of heat to regulate their body temperature. Kitchens tend to be warmer than other parts of the house due to cooking appliances, making them attractive to insects seeking warmth.
- Hidden spaces: Kitchens have plenty of hiding spots for insects to nest and breed, such as cracks and crevices in cabinets, behind appliances, and in pantry areas. These secluded areas provide protection from predators and disturbances.
5 Main Threats posed by kitchen insects
- Contamination of food: Insects can carry harmful bacteria and pathogens on their bodies, which they can transfer to surfaces and food items in the kitchen. Consuming contaminated food can lead to foodborne illnesses such as salmonella and E. coli.
- Structural damage: Certain insects like termites and carpenter ants can cause structural damage to wooden components of the kitchen, such as cabinets and countertops, by tunneling through them in search of food and nesting sites.
- Allergies and respiratory issues: Cockroach and dust mite allergens present in kitchens can trigger allergic reactions and exacerbate respiratory conditions such as asthma, especially in sensitive individuals.
- Transmission of diseases: In addition to contaminating food, some insects like flies and cockroaches can spread disease-causing microorganisms through their feces, saliva, and body parts, posing health risks to humans.
- Psychological distress: The presence of insects in the kitchen can cause anxiety and discomfort for homeowners, leading to decreased quality of life and psychological stress.
Also Read: How to get rid of cockroaches in kitchen
Fed up with the problem of seeing small insects in the kitchen every time you step in? Then, you are not alone, many people face the same issue of kitchen insects. The following remedies will help you remove small insects from your kitchen.
Top 7 Methods to Remove Small Insects from Kitchen
- Trust the Power of Neem Oil
- Use Peppermint as an Insect-Killer
- Bay Leaves Remedy for Wood Borers
- Baking Soda and Onion Removes the Cockroaches
- Kill Ants Using Cinnamon
- Fresh Basil Leaves for House Flies
- Drive Away the Moths Using Apple Cider Vinegar
1. Trust the Power of Neem Oil
When it comes to removing small insects from the kitchen, the number one remedy that works is neem oil. It is known to kill over 150 insect species with its strong smell. Add a few drops of neem oil in water and spray it at different corners of your kitchen to make it insect-free.
2. Use Peppermint as an Insect-Killer
After neem oil something that works against most types of kitchen insects is peppermint. Try using a combination of peppermint oil and mint leaves to repel insects from the kitchen like spiders, ants, bugs, and even rats. Besides repelling insects, peppermint will spread a soothing aroma in your kitchen.
3. Bay Leaves Remedy for Wood Borers
Every kitchen has some sort of wooden work, so there is a possibility of getting wood borers in the kitchen. Use bay leaves as an effective way to get rid of small insects in kitchen like silverfish from your kitchen cabinets. Just place some bay leaves in the corners of your kitchen cabinets, and their strong smell will be enough to shoo away the wood-loving pests.
4. Baking Soda and Onion Removes the Cockroaches
How to Remove Cockroaches from Kitchen and what are the cockroach treatment? Are these the big questions bothering you these days? Try using baking soda on chopped onion and place it at the different corners of your kitchen to make it cockroach-free. Repeat it every night to see the magic.
5. Kill Ants Using Cinnamon
Want an effective measure to get rid of the ants in your kitchen? We bet this home remedy to remove ants will help you out. Sprinkle cinnamon powder at the corners of your kitchen to repel ants. These small insects called ants hate the aroma of cinnamon and will emerge from corners and either die or flee away.
6. Fresh Basil Leaves for House Flies
Your search for home remedies for house flies will get over with fresh basil leaves. Try putting some fresh basil leaves or a basil plant near the window in your kitchen. The smell of the fresh basil acts as a natural insect repellent and works magically especially, to keep away the house flies.
7. Drive Away the Moths Using Apple Cider Vinegar
The last tip in our list of natural ways to remove small insects from kitchen is using apple cider vinegar. This magical liquid is very effective against common moths found in humid areas like our kitchens.
Besides trying the above-mentioned natural ways, you may try the following tips to prevent small insects in kitchen.
Also Read: Pest control prices
5 Other Useful Tips to Prevent Kitchen Pests
- Keep Your Garbage Bin Organized
- Allow Sunlight in Your Kitchen
- Repair Leaking Pipes
- Unclog Your Drains
- Clean Your Kitchen Counter Every Night
1. Keep Your Garbage Bin Organized
One of the key tips to maintain a pest-free kitchen is to organize your garbage bin. Try keeping the dustbin or the garbage bin covered. Change its bag daily, and if possible, keep dry and wet garbage separately to prevent the issue of insects in your kitchen.
2. Allow Sunlight in Your Kitchen
If you want to work in a germ-free kitchen, then make way for some sunlight to enter your kitchen. Sunlight is a natural insect killer and helps prevent mold growth and also keeps the smell of kitchen ingredients away while cooking food.
3. Repair Leaking Pipes
Moisture is one of the main things that attract insects like cockroaches, moths, beetles, and rats. Try repairing your water pipes and other leakages to maintain an insect-free kitchen.
4. Unclog Your Drains
Ensure that there is no drainage issue in your kitchen, as it may lead to pest infestation. A clogged wash basin in your kitchen is neither a good sight to see, nor will attract all kinds of insects too.
5. Clean Your Kitchen Counter Every Night
The last and most useful tip to get rid of insects from the kitchen is by cleaning the kitchen counter every night before shutting down the kitchen.
Also Read: Is pest control safe for babies
Conclusion
Pest control is one sure-shot way of dealing with all types of home insects, be it cockroaches, bed bugs, termites, wood borers, or mosquitoes. So, if none of the above natural ways work well for you, consider booking efficient professional pest control services from the pioneers like HiCare. The company has been offering pest and digital hygiene solutions to both residential and commercial spaces for the last 28 years. Feel free to book specific pest control services and home cleaning services from HiCare, which has an eminent presence in more than 30 Indian cities.
Frequently Asked Questions about Kitchen Insects
1. What are the tiny insects in my kitchen cupboards?
The tiny insects in your kitchen cupboards could be a variety of pantry pests, such as grain weevils, flour beetles, or meal moths. Pantry pests are a group of small insects that infest stored food products. Grain weevils are small, reddish-brown insects that infest whole grains. Flour beetles are small, dark-brown beetles that infest flour, cereal, and other processed grain products. Meal moths are small, grayish-brown moths that lay their eggs on dried food products, such as flour, cereal, and nuts.
2. How do I get rid of tiny bugs in my kitchen?
To get rid of tiny bugs in your kitchen, you can start by identifying the type of pests and then cleaning and sealing your food storage areas in kitchen. You may also need to use insecticides or traps to eliminate the infestation from your kitchen.
3. How do I get rid of ants in my kitchen?
To get rid of ants in your kitchen, you can use natural remedies such as vinegar or lemon juice, which can be used to clean surfaces and deter ants from returning. You can also try setting out ant bait or traps which are designed to attract ants and then kill them.
4. Why are there so many bugs in my kitchen?
There are many reasons why there may be a lot of bugs in your kitchen, including food debris, moisture, cracks and crevices, and even the presence of other pests.
5. How do I protect my kitchen cabinets from insects?
Insects are common problem for kitchen cabinets, but there are some steps that you can take to protect it. To protect your kitchen cabinets from insects you can keep them clean and dry, store food in airtight containers, seal any gaps or cracks and use insect repellents or traps.