Common mistakes in attracting pests in your kitchen
Not clearing up the sink filter with food residues
We are guilty of rushing through the cleaning process especially when there are loads of dishes to complete. However, we could neglect the after effects of washing up those soiled plates and utensils. Bits of residues, crumbs, and chunks of protein or scraps of vegetables are left lying in the sink filter. Over time, these leftovers are decayed or decomposed thus causing odour and attracting pests to feed on. Ever notice how there are times where you discovered pests lurking in your sink? You may want to clear up that debris and keep the filter clean.
Oil and grease splattered around induction stove
There are many food options to whip up at home with tonnes of recipes and demonstrations online. They are often associated with oil, sauce, grease, gravy and food bits that can mess up the induction area. For some induction, because they come in black or dark shades, these grease, oil and stains tend to go unnoticed. Cockroaches for example, feed on almost anything such as starch, sugar and grease, and long-term build-up of such grimes could bring a cockroach infestation problem.
Read also: What causes cockroach infestation in a home
Maintaining wet and slippery kitchen floor
With the many activities that are happening in the kitchen, it is inevitable to avoid using water. Firstly, there are several occasions in washing up cups or cutleries after use. Secondly, there could be an absence of a kitchen mat to trap and absorb excess water and moisture. Thirdly, rinsing vegetables of fruits tend to leave splashes of water on the kitchen table-tops and floor. Fourthly, the quick act of washing hands and proceeding to other activities could leave drips of moisture on the floor. Water in fact, is the core and essential food source for all pests such as ants and cockroaches.
Did you know? One of the main causes of a termite infestation is the presence of water and moisture. Yes, termites require water to survive including those spills standing on your flooring or foundation or structure.
Poor handling of food items in the kitchen
Firstly, opening packets of chips or biscuits resulting in spill crumbs and bits on the countertop or floor without having them cleaned. Secondly, poor handling and lapse in transferring sauces or wet dishes over to a container causing drips. Thirdly, unsealed or poorly covered containers or jars. Fourthly, consumed can drinks with remains might accidently toppled causing spills that do not tend to immediately. Above all, having a proper kitchen organiser and diligent kitchen cleaning regime can minimise a pest problem to surface.
Waste not cleared and dirty dishes in the sink
We are guilty of procrastinating housekeeping especially dealing with the piles of soiled dishes and loads of waste to dispose of. As we engage in other home activities or catch up on work assignments, these chores are often left later. There is a reason for labelling cockroaches of poor hygiene and sanitation as they feed on decaying matter and decomposed food waste lying in bins or sinks. One way of cockroach prevention is to eliminate these food sources from them.
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Covering food with some plates and leaving gaps for pest to enter
A common home scene where food is prepared in advance for family dine-ins or excess food that is left on the table partially covered. However, these leaves entry opportunities for pests who are attracted to the fats, proteins, starch and sugar on those plates to slip in. Pests are all compact size with flexibility to squeeze through any openings and this applies to those foods left for them. The danger is, not only it starts a pest infestation, but increases the risks of food contamination. Pests carry harmful pathogens as they cross filth environment and transferring these bacteria onto your food.
What can you do to improve your kitchen condition?
Ensure proper food packing and storage in place
The first step is to put away these feast for pests to enjoy by storing food properly and adequately. For example, use air-tight containers or well-covered jars to store tricky items such as condiments and spices. Keep stored food away in the kitchen cabinet or in the refrigerator immediately to avoid pest attraction. Some pests such as rats are capable of chewing of paper and cartons. You can transfer these food items into stable containers instead.
Keep the kitchen neat and clutter-free
By having a busy and cluttered kitchen, it provides more visibility in detecting any presence of pests. Firstly, it helps by having white or light coloured kitchen tops to spot tiny pests such as ants more easily. Secondly, clear away unwanted appliances, remove expired food and drinks, store boxes, jars, containers and unused utensils into the kitchen cabinet. Thirdly, relocate cartons and heavy items away from the kitchen floor and keep them in a storeroom instead. Fourthly, make use of kitchen organisers to help store and pack your items in a neat and efficient manner. Finally, discard any defective or unused items instead of keeping them around as hiding spots for pests.
Adopt diligent housekeeping and sanitation habits
Ant infestation starts with a poor cleanliness regime. Basic and most important way to get rid of ants is by keeping both the floor, sink, induction and table-top clean from food debris and drink spills. Wipe these off immediately from countertops, stoves and appliances. Sweep and mop the kitchen floor promptly. Clean up right after food preparation and consumption. Wash up the dishes and a thorough clean of the sink thereafter. Cultivating this simple act can aid in your ant removal efforts. Read more on why procrastinating housekeeping could be a problem.
Renovate and repair to mend those chips and cracks
There could be defects or integrity of the structure and foundation that causes a pest problem in your kitchen. Firstly, pipes and sewers may degenerate or turn defective causing water leaks that attract pests. Secondly, structures and walls are compromised due to age and weather that result in crevices and gaps. Thirdly, there may be chips and cracks on the floor that allow pests to nest within such as ants. Repair these damages and defects and help to pest-proof cockroaches and ants from invading your kitchen. Above all, it is beneficial to invest in home maintenance for long term protection.
Take the trash out or dispose in rubbish chute promptly
Pests are attracted to the foul smell and odour that is coming from those decompose items in your trash bag. They also lurk in bins and feed on these unhygienic food sources. It is important to ensure bins have lids that are covered well and to remove this trash out of the home promptly. For those who are disposing off in the chutes within the home, ensure the trash bags are tightly sealed and no leaks while disposing down the chute.
Proofing and divider that separates kitchen apart
Some kitchen designs are integrated, built-in together with the dining hall, and open concepts that connect into the living room. This could risk the chance of pests harbouring within the kitchen to travel to other parts of the home. Thus, resulting in an infestation spread and more challenges in containing them in a targeted area. It is helpful to install a dividing screen, dividing door or any form of barrier to remain kitchen out of bounds for pests. Proofing such as closing the gap underneath the door gap and grease trap and windows also helps to minimise pest entries.
Read also: Home décor and interior designs that may attract pests
Keep a lookout for your kitchen pest enemies
Stay vigilant in this battle against pests by keeping a lookout for their presence or any signs of infestation. For example, do you notice more cockroaches in the daytime or only at night when you are able to go to bed? Do you see lines and troops of ants crawling along your walls or kitchen tops? When you open the cabinet, have you smelled a musty and pungent smell that could be the urine caused by cockroaches? While at it, have you come across black, small and cylindrical droppings on the surface? These are all signs of infestation that you should not ignore.
List of common pests found in the kitchen
Some of the usual suspects include cockroaches and ants where both seek quite similar food diets. Fruits, vegetables, sugar, grease, fats, protein, starch and water to name a few. In addition, cockroaches feed on anything made available to them such as hair, waste, scraps, smaller insects, fermented materials, paper, book glue and wallpaper. You can find these items in almost every household kitchen and it is no wonder we will spot their appearance.
Depending where the kitchen is located and how the home is structured, there are chances for rats to sneak into the kitchen. For example, the home is located near to a construction site where rats seek other harbourage sites, or entering to your home through the drainage and sewer system. In some cases, the kitchen connected to the courtyard with openings adds to risks of pest entry.
Mosquitoes are possible pests lurking in the kitchen so long as there is stagnant water for them to breed.
- Unattended flower vase and water features
- Flower pots with collecting water in the tray
- Pails and containers with stagnant water in it
- Cross infestation reasons where mozzies flew in externally
- Uneven flooring that traps water and allowing it to breed
Termites could be the most unexpected pest to expect turning up your kitchen. In fact, door frames, panels and kitchen cabinets are termites’ top hot spots. This is due to the presence of moisture, termite infestation spread and connecting structures can cause an infestation. One way of termite eradication remedy is to seek early detection to check if it is an invasion of termites of carpenter ants. You can engage a professional termite specialist to perform accurate detection of termite activities. However, it is critical to note that even if there are no signs of termite presence, it is beneficial to take up a termite treatment proactively to prevent serious damages from happening later on.
Pests can spread and travel from room to room
Cross infestation is one main reason why pest infestation seems to be an ongoing and unresolved challenge.
- Pest population grows due to reproduction and overcrowding of pests around the home
- Home is connected and food source is available at other parts to seek their meal
- Disruptions to the nests and harbourage areas made pests travel to other areas to hide
- Home remedies to get rid of cockroaches or using ant repellent can relocate them temporarily.
- Food competition and scarcity that causes pests to travel around for food supply
Debugging common pest myths with Rentokil
It is important to clarify and debug common pest myths that are believed by many. Especially, where health and safety of your family is concerned, here are some to debug.
- Using natural ingredients such as plants, herbs, species and citrus elements merely repel and deter pests a short while by masking their trail. Eventually, they will return to continue feeding and nesting at the original location.
- Designing DIY traps and lures may work to some extent; however, it may trigger another infestation by spilling the mixes and not eliminating the root cause.
- Leveraging on contact-kill approach fixes the current and visible problem but repeated actions is required, more costs required and infestation continues.
- Ventilating and exposing furniture or the space to sun can help in some manner – but not the entire environment is well exposed to sunlight and with sufficient period
- Resorting to the most convenient at a low cost method of spraying with insecticides and stick-ons tend to reap very little results. Rentokil Pest Control explains how this is possible with facts we did not know about pests.
Get rid of pests effectively in your kitchen
Ensure you have cockroach and ant control
The least treatment to keep protecting your home from pests is to have treatments in place such as cockroach control and ant treatments. Pest control companies will conduct monthly service treatments that include inspection and monitoring of the premise. It usually involves residual spray or gel baits placements at targeted areas and corners. Recommendations relating to proofing or housekeeping acts as a complement to the pest control services. Treated locations including key risk areas or high pest activities sites such as kitchen, and even around the dining hall, living room, balcony and bedroom. Find out what to expect during treatment conducted by pest control specialist.
You may need to treat for fruit flies breeding
In the past trending blog articles, Rentokil Initial shares how fruit flies may be present in the home for a few reasons. Firstly, they are drawn to drains and sewers that feed on these organic waste and matters. This is especially so if the toilet drain or grease trap is not well covered and a breeding results into a fruit flies population. Secondly, because of their craving for fruits and vegetables and even the overly ripe ones, fruit flies is a common pest that may turn up in the kitchen. Finally, the food that you serve on the dining table may be one of their favourites, such as fruits, yeast and bread you have for breakfast. Read the full article on why you should be worried of fruit flies in your home.
Start protecting your home from termite damages
While termites may not be a threat with those sumptuous food spread on the kitchen table, it is a threat due to the moisture and humid condition. Termites come about as they live underground but travel up and in through the mud tubes they build. In particular if there is direct contact and connection between the foundation and ground such as door frames and panels, termite infestation may occur. In addition, there is a possibility for termites infesting into the wooden furniture and structure, through those holes and cracks and build their nest within, thus causing termite damages later on. Enquire about the seven years warranty termite control programme.
Call Rentokil Singapore at 6347 8138 for a pest control solution today.
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