For most people, the kitchen can be the heart of the home. But people aren’t the only ones that like to gather here. These are the top three pests to be on the lookout for in the kitchen:

Ants

It’s common to see these tiny creatures marching one-by-one across kitchen countertops in search of food and water. Whether they’re searching for carbs and fats (Argentine and pavement ants) or sweets (Odorous house ants), they love the options available to them in the kitchen. It’s important to wash dishes as soon as possible, wipe down countertops, and sweep floors to keep these pests away. If ants do invade, call a professional to identify and perform the proper treatment based on the type of ant.

Cockroaches

Cockroaches are another very common kitchen pest. They prefer to hide under cabinets and around appliances during the day to avoid detection. American cockroaches (reddish-brown, about 1”-2” long) are often called sewer roaches prefer warm, moist areas like drains, sinks, and other places with water. German cockroaches (reddish-brown, 1/2”-3/4” long) prefer warm, dry locations like appliances like behind dishwashers, ovens, and refrigerators. When it comes to cockroaches in the kitchen, proper identification is essential to ensure a treatment plan is established to effectively eliminate the infestation.

Pantry Pests

There are several different insect species that are collectively known as stored food pests. These pests tend to be found in pantries and kitchen cabinets where they find stored food products that contain grains and corn. Flour, corn meal, cereal, pet food and even dried fruits and nuts are all attractive food sources. It’s important to keep these products in sealed containers to prevent infestation. If you do find any items infested with stored food pests, the best course of action is to throw the item out and check any other food items nearby for additional infestations.

For more information about kitchen pests or other pest control issues at your home or business, call the local, licensed professionals at Bill’s Home Service today at (520) 200-7043.