Bugging Out: Helpful Tips For A Pest-Free Kitchen
When it comes to pests, it's an almost universal fact that nobody wants them around in their homes. Household pests can vary anywhere from sugar ants to cockroaches and even vermin. Keeping these creatures out of one's home is a top priority for any homeowner to ensure peace of mind and healthful living. Pests can cary a variety of diseases including salmonella, E Coli and even bubonic plague so keeping a home pest-free is essential. Pests are known to be drawn towards food, water and heat, all of which can be located in the heart of the home, the kitchen.
When it comes to ensuring the kitchen is bug-free, a top priority should be finding possible entry points in which pests are able to let themselves in. Water heater closets, for instance, are a very popular hiding place for pests such as cockroaches. Crawling through exposed pipes and unsealed holes is sure to guarantee their arrival. Checking for holes underneath cabinets and appliances can also lead to the discovery of entry points. Sealing these are an excellent first step in pest control. In order to remove all food and water sources, one should also check for leaks in piping underneath the kitchen sink, dishwasher and refrigerator. Any bowls of water left out for pets should also be removed at the end of the day and any food should be disposed of properly. Trash is obviously a favorite spot for pests, so ensuring that the kitchen trash can has a tight fitting lid should inhibit any pests attempting to reach it. A deep cleaning of the entire kitchen should also be done at least once every other week along with lighter cleaning every day. Pests would find little interest in a kitchen that is clean, dry and free of any provisions such as food and water.
Though many may assume that pests come with the territory when it comes to places like kitchens, the truth is that it does not have to be. With the proper precautions and effort put into place by the homeowner to ensure the kitchen is clean and dry, it is likely that pests will not be a problem. Simply ensuring that pests do not have a way into the home is the biggest factor of these steps and should also be carried out to other rooms as well. With the right steps put into place, the kitchen will become a pest-free haven for good.