Warm weather tends to bring some unwelcomed visitors into the kitchen -- and by unwelcomed visitors, we mean ants, fruit flies, and roaches. It may leave a cringe-worthy image in your head, but it's a problem that most homeowners deal with during the spring and summer months. These insects can easily find their way into your kitchen with just the drop of a crumb. Not to worry--It is possible to get rid of thee bugs with little effort.
Ants
It is likely a small spill or food crumbs that are attracting these insects into your kitchen. First, you need to cut off their food supply by cleaning up your mess. You will also need to follow the ant's trail to find out where they are entering your kitchen. Once you figure this out, grab a tube of sealant and close up their enterance. You can also sprinkle a barrier of pepper or cinnamon at that spot; the spices keep the ants from crossing. Another alternative is to mix 2/3 cup water, 1/3 cup white vinegar, and 2-3 tablespoons dish soap; spray this mixture where the ants are marching.
Fruit Flies
Fruit flies are attracted to moist, damp places like sinks and garbage disposals. They also thrive off of fruits-- especially those that are fermenting and/or rotting. To get rid of these pesky little flies, Good House Keeping suggests using unfiltered apple cider vinegar. Remove the cap from the bottle of vinegar, and replace it with a layer of plastic wrap. Seal the plastic wrap with a rubber band, and poke a few holes in it for the flies to enter through. The vinegar scent will attract the fruit flies, and upon entering, they wont be able to exit. Another way to prevent these flies from entering your kitchen in to grow basil. Fruit flies hate the smell of basil, so growing this herb around doors and windows will act as a natural repellent.
Roaches
Again, the biggest attractant for roaches is food. While they are usually spotted out-and-about looking for food, they can infact survive without food for 3 months. During this period, you will likely find these critters hiding in dark, cold, damp places. These are extremely resillient pests-- once you find one, you can bet there are a whole bunch more. Start by cleaning the infested areas and throwing out whatever food the roaches may have gotten in to. They can be difficult to get rid of, so we suggest leaving the removal process to professionals. However, if youre up for the task, you can try sprinkling a combination of boric acid and sugar in the crevices where the roaches are found. In addition, put the powder in jar lids and place under sinks or behind the fridge.
