10 Tips On How To Keep Your Kitchen Pest-Free

Keep your pantry items free of pantry bugs! The best solution for that is storing everything in air-tight containers. It' helpful to keep everything out of plastic bags and in containers that are transparent, so you always know what you're reaching for instead of rummaging around the cabinet, looking for what you need. 

We found air-tight containers from Borosil, which come in three different sizes. So, you can pick what best suits your needs. These containers are microwave-friendly, fridge and freezer-safe, and dishwasher-friendly too. It's a great twist on the classic jar and a cooler alternative to steel dabbas too. 

Price: INR 536 for 1L containers.

Pro Tip: Check your local kitchenware store for cheaper or non-branded options. You can also check Amazon for sets of 10 or 12 containers (although they may not have the same features as this one).

Cooking can be messy, even if you're an expert. Spills, food stains, and smudges are common but it's crucial to wipe them immediately to avoid roaches and ants. Wiping it with a damp cloth is an ideal immediate solution, but make sure you clean the surface at the end of each day effectively.

Try Origami Non Woven Reusable and Washable Kitchen Wipes. They're a great set of kitchen towels to have around, as they are dry easily and you can discard them after a few uses. Each roll comes with 80 pulls, and this set of three on Amazon gives you a total of 240 pulls.

Price: INR 660 for a set of three

It's common knowledge that garbage attracts flies, rodents and other pests. That's why it's a must to always have a lid on the bin. Whether you're using one for dry waste or wet waste, always lid your garbage can. It's also good practice as the smells won't drift through your kitchen. Also make sure that you was your dustbin regularly (despite using a garbage bag), as the inside of the bin is likely to have some garbage remains. 

You can check out Nayasa's 2 in 2 Dustbin For Dry Waste and Wet Waste. The bin has two sections in a unique design and that way your waste can be segregated as you go. 

Price: INR 935

Leaving dirty dishes in the sink is a great way to invite all sorts of pests into your kitchen. So you definitely must avoid it at all costs. If you don't have time to do the dishes, at soak them in water and rinse off the food stains to avoid attracting pests and flies if you're keeping them overnight. 

Doing the dishes can feel like a boring chore. That's why it's a great idea to buy a quality scrubber that does the job in a jiffy. Bare Necessities has an eco-friendly CocoNuts bout Scrubs Dish Scrubber, which is made using coconut husks. 

Price: INR 149.25 for a set of six

The room in your home where everyone's meals are cooked, is bound to get greasy! Whether it's the oil splatters or spills, or some foam that stuck to the wall as the pressure cooker whistled away. Grease is bound to form in your kitchen, and to keep those little pests at bay, it's best to scrub your kitchen clean at least once every two weeks. 

The Better Home has a Degreasing Kitchen Cleaner Spray, which is safe to use around babies and pets as it is non-toxic. It's a plant-based cleaning solution that doesn't contain soap or alcohol, and helps remove grease and oil stains. It's ideal for a deep cleaning, and it's infused with essential oils to leave your kitchen smelling fresh.

Price: INR 149

Fruit flies are common in every household, so it's best to protect your veggies and fruits, and keep them away from those flies that hover around. However, if something has turned overripe, it's best to discard it or use it immediately. 

To keep your vegetables and fruits protected, we found a Handmade PVC Fruit and Vegetable Storage Basket with a mesh/net to cover by Saffron Decor on Amazon. The medium-sized basket can fit several items all at ones, and you can cover it up with a mesh cover, keeping fruit flies at bay. 

Price: INR 1,250

Got a few cracks or openings around the kitchen? Seal them right away! Smaller cracks generally serve as nests for ants while the larger ones become a home for cockroaches. While it's ideal to first rid any pests already living in, you must seal the crack as soon as possible. 

It's best to call a professional to take care of this. But you can get Asian Paints' Smartcare Crack Seal. It's fit for interiors and exterior surfaces, so you won't have to worry! 

Price: INR 161

Leaving out food of any kind can be a bad idea. But you need to be mindful about pet food too! It's obviously not great for your pet's health if pests hover around their food, so try to not leave a bow of food or water open, overnight. 

These food dispensers can do the trick! M-Pets Lena Food Dispenser stores the food, but you can dispense it as and when your pet need to eat. This way, the food is covered and stored, instead of sitting out open, attracting flies of all kinds. 

Price: INR 1,399

It's a must to clean the drain of your kitchen sink at least once every week, if not more. You can pour in half a cup of vinegar and after a few minutes, pour in hot water. While this is a great home remedy to ensure that your drain is clean, it works best if there are no blocks. 

If you do have clogs or blockages, get the Atomic Drain Cleaner Powder, which removes any blocks in 20 minutes. It works on all sorts of sink and drain pipes, and essentially dissolves anything that may be blocking the drain. It also works wonders on nasty drain smells!

Price: INR 189 

Fresh smells are a great way to prevent pests! Fragrances like lemon, lavender or other essential oils help in keeping flies and mosquitoes away. You've got to make sure your kitchen is rid of food smells, especially smells from vegetable peels or wet kitchen garbage. 

Re:fresh has a Lemon Air Freshener that's fresh, of course, but also pleasant and long-lasting. Pump a few sprays around the kitchen, and everything will smell amazing. 

Price: INR 160