Kitchen Critters

Summer is here and with it visitors.No not relatives who want to camp out in the backyard ,but actual pests. Hot weather draws all sorts, mostly insects. Yet you can keep your cooking and eating areas pest free with being smart as well as using natural methods to get rid of them. One of the most abundant summer pests is the ant.Colonies of them start invading kitchens by March and usually go into hibernation by October or November.It's a common thought that ants will eat anything ,but they will go for sweets long before they'd go for baked goods or meats.They're particularly drawn to jams and honey.It's best to keep these in the fridge until the winter Ants will pass up salty foods so potato chips, pretzels and any other salty snacks can be left out.Ironically cinnamon, long associated with sweet treats that lure ants, acts as a repelllent.Lemon juice is another deterrent as is vinegar .If you don"t mind the mess, you can also draw chalk lines in your doorways.The insects will not cross them.Cockroaches are another problem ,mostly in multiple family dwellings.They , too, head for sweets, however they also are partial to starch and this includes a wide range from potatoes to glue..Fast food is a definite roach magnet.It has everything they like, meat, grease ,sweet and starch.Strangely, depriving them of water is the surest way of killing them.White vinegar also repels them.Some kitchens are plagued by mice. Interestingly enough they would rather have chocolate instead of cheese.It doesn't,t harm them as it does other animals.?Peppermint oil is an excellent all natural deterrent. Mice are put off by the intense aroma. There are many ways to keep your house pest free.One of the methods is keeping all food neatly stored away, whether in the fridge or plastic or glass containers.Target has an excellent selection of plastic canisters that work well for storing cereal, candies or cookies.Also keeping a clean kitchen is always a plus.Constantly wipe up cookie crumbs and throw out candy wrappers as soon as you eat their contents.For added protection , wipe down countertops with either lemon juice or white vinegar on a weekly or bi weekly basis.Get in the habit of storing everything in the refrigerator during this time. To be honest food actually tastes better when it's chilled during the summer months.Another good habit to get into is rinsing plates, bowls, and utensils before leaving them in the sink.As many as twenty or thirty ants will flock to a cake crumb or even a drop of honey.Pantries should also be checked, and be reserved for canned goods or goods put into seal tight canisters. Don't let your kitchen become a summer hangout or vacay destination for pests.Keep your cooking and eating area tidy.It's the best way not to attract unattractive dinner guests.