Get Rid of Kitchen Pests

To get rid of pests in the kitchen, take away what they come for: food, water and shelter. Store food in sealed containers, clean up crumbs and spills every day, fix leaks, empty the trash often and seal cracks where pests get in. Then target the specific pest with the right bait or trap, or call a professional. 

Why pests love your kitchen 

Pests like kitchens for some of the very same reasons people do. Food is the obvious draw, but water matters just as much. A dripping faucet, a damp sponge or a slow leak under the sink provides the tiny amount of water pests need to keep living in your home. 

Florida adds its own pressure. Heavy summer rains flood ant nests and send colonies indoors, and humidity keeps cabinets and drains damp. When the weather turns cool, pests that were living outside look for warm spots with steady food, and the kitchen is the easiest place to find both. 

Common kitchen pests in Florida homes 

Knowing what you are dealing with helps you pick the right fix. 

• Ants. Ghost ants and white footed ants are common in Pinellas County kitchens. They trail along counters and sinks looking for sweets, grease and water. 

• Cockroaches. German cockroaches live and breed indoors, often behind appliances and under sinks. Larger American cockroaches, often called palmetto bugs, wander in from outside. 

• Pantry pests. Indian meal moths, flour beetles and weevils infest flour, cereal, rice, pasta and pet food. 

• Fruit flies and drain flies. They breed in overripe produce, recycling bins and the film inside drains. 

• Mice and rats. Rodents follow food smells into kitchens and leave droppings in drawers and cabinets. 

Clean up and store food the right way 

The simplest way to make your kitchen uninteresting to pests is to give them nothing to eat. 

• Place all opened bags and boxes of food in airtight containers or the fridge. 

• Keep pet food bowls clean, and only put out the amount your pet will eat in one meal. 

• Keep floors swept and mopped and countertops wiped down. 

• Wash dishes right after meals. 

• Keep the trash can and the area around it clean, and take trash out at night. 

• Clean behind and under the microwave, toaster and stove, where crumbs build up. 

• Rinse cans and bottles before they go in the recycling bin. 

• Declutter. Stacks of paper bags and cardboard give pests places to hide. 

Seal entry points and dry things out 

Exclude pests by sealing cracks, crevices and holes in your foundation and around entry points. In the kitchen, pay close attention to: 

• Gaps around pipes under the sink and behind the dishwasher 

• Cracks along backsplashes and baseboards 

• Worn door sweeps and window screens near the kitchen 

Then fix the moisture. Repair leaky faucets, let sponges dry out, and check under the sink and around the dishwasher and fridge for slow leaks. 

Target the pest, not just the counter 

Cleaning cuts off the food supply, but an established population needs a direct approach. 

• Ants: Use baits instead of sprays. Spraying a trail kills the workers you see and can cause some colonies to split into new ones. Bait is carried back to the nest. Our ant control services handle trails that keep coming back. 

• Roaches: Gel baits and bait stations placed in cracks, behind appliances and under sinks work far better than sprays. See our guide on how to get rid of roaches for more detail. 

• Pantry pests: Throw out infested food in a sealed bag, vacuum the shelves and wipe them down. Putting new flour or grains in the freezer for a few days can kill hidden eggs. 

• Fruit flies: Remove overripe fruit, clean drains with a brush, and set a simple vinegar trap. 

Always follow the product label, and keep any pesticide away from food, dishes and prep surfaces. If pests keep coming back, a professional can find where they are nesting. Homeowners in Clearwater and Largo can learn more about our residential pest control plans. 

Kitchen pest FAQ 

Why do I have ants in my kitchen when it is clean? 

Florida ants are often after water as much as food, especially during dry spells or after heavy rain floods their nests. Ghost ants also nest inside wall voids and potted plants, so they may already be living in your home. A drop of juice or a damp sink is enough to keep a trail going. 

Is it safe to use bug spray in the kitchen? 

Many sprays are not meant for food prep areas, so read the label closely. Never spray on counters, dishes or open food. In most kitchens, baits placed in cracks or in closed stations are a safer and more effective choice than spraying, and they keep the product out of reach of children and pets. 

What are the tiny bugs in my flour or rice? 

They are usually flour beetles, weevils or the larvae of pantry moths. They often arrive in a package from the store and then spread to other dry goods. Throw out the infested items, clean the shelves, store everything in airtight containers and check new packages before putting them away. 

Tired of sharing your kitchen with pests? Call Uprooted Weed & Pest Control at (727) 871-0721 or request a free estimate.