5 Ways To Keep Pests Out of a Kitchen

Kitchen hygiene determines the likelihood of infestation by disease-carrying pests, including cockroaches, ants, and rats. Besides being a health hazard, some pests damage kitchen cabinets and appliances. Therefore, an exterminator is one of your best chances of eliminating kitchen pests.

Implement proactive measures to keep pests out of your kitchen. For example, engage an expert to thoroughly inspect your entire home. This article highlights five ways to keep your kitchen pest-free.

1. Clean Cupboards and Drawers Regularly

Regular cleaning is an obvious way to keep pests away from a kitchen. However, some areas are easy to forget during routine washing, which increases the chances of pest attacks. For example, some homeowners believe closed cabinets take time to get dirty. Unfortunately, undisturbed cupboards, cabinets, and drawers are excellent hiding spots for pests.

Tidy kitchen cabinets regularly, even if they appear clean. In particular, periodic cleaning scares away pests within and around cupboards and drawers. Look beneath all utensils on the shelves to ensure you do not miss hiding pests.

2. Use Tightly Sealed Trash Bins

A kitchen trash bin is convenient for disposing of waste. However, the type and condition of a trashcan determine pest infestation risk. For example, a lidless trash bin easily attracts pests since they smell the odor.

Use a quality trash bin with a tight seal to keep pests away from your kitchen. The airtight enclosure contains the smell of kitchen waste, making it hard for foraging pests to detect it. Additionally, the tight-locking lid prevents curious pests, including ants, from accessing a bin's inside.

3. Decant Dry Food

Some pests can chew through dry foods' cardboard packaging. Therefore, efforts for a pest-free kitchen can be undone by leaving food in paper box packaging. The best solution is to decant dry foods by transferring them into a glass or food-friendly plastic container.



Decant dry foods to keep pests away since the containers are impenetrable, especially with an airtight lid. Since most food decanters are transparent, homeowners can easily spot pests if they accidentally enter the containers. Additionally, inspect food decanters regularly to ensure the seal is okay.

4. Eat Fruit Bowl Contents

A colorful fruit bowl is common in American kitchens for various reasons, including aesthetics. A fruit basket is also a convenient source of healthy snacks for households that prioritize nutrition. Unfortunately, letting fruits stay longer in a bowl can quickly attract flies and other pests.

Regularly eat or dispose of the fruits in a kitchen bowl to prevent pests. In particular, watch for ripening fruits and eat them first to eliminate the aromatic odor and keep pests away. Alternatively, transfer ripe fruit to a refrigerator to keep bugs away.

5. Run Water in a Garbage Disposal Unit

A garbage disposal unit also offers a convenient option to dispose of kitchen waste. However, misusing a waste disposal machine can attract pests to your kitchen. For instance, some homes forget to let cold water run for a few seconds after turning off the unit. Unfortunately, a dirty garbage disposal unit leaves food residues in the chamber and kitchen drainage system.

A dirty garbage disposal unit provides a constant food supply for pests to thrive. Therefore, let the water run briefly through a disposer to eliminate food remnants in the chamber and plumbing. Grind ice cubes before running water to knock off stubborn waste bits caught inside a disposal unit and further reduce the chances of pest infestation.

A kitchen has everything pests need to survive; therefore, make the environment harsh for their survival. Contact us for a variety of professional pest control services. We look forward to assisting you.