Kitchen Mistakes That Could Be Attracting Mosquitoes Into Your Home
When warm weather is nearby, it means mosquitos are following close behind. Besides being an absolute menace outside, these tiny blood-suckers often make their way into the kitchen. It's like you can't escape them, no matter where you go! You've probably already added screens to your windows and front door to keep the mosquitos out, but those aren't 100% foolproof, so it's important to recognize the mistakes you could be attracting the bugs into your home. They're tiny adjustments you can make to ensure your home is mosquito-free this summer.
Keeping your kitchen clean is one of the best things you can do to prevent these insects from congregating in your space. When you leave crumbs and other food remnants behind, it becomes a feeding ground for mosquitoes and other pests. Mosquitoes, in particular, gravitate towards sweet, salty, and spicy foods, so you need to be extra cautious when cleaning up after a meal. This means washing dishes and silverware, cleaning countertops and cutting boards, and taking out the trash if it's filled with food scraps.
But there are some other, less obvious reasons why mosquitoes might linger. Let's take a look at some of the kitchen mistakes to avoid to keep them out for good.
Not regulating the humidity of the room
Mosquitoes love moist, humid areas; it's where they thrive and lay their eggs. If you aren't regulating the humidity of your kitchen, don't be surprised if you wake up one day to find a bunch of these insects flying around your home. It's time to get to the store and purchase a dehumidifier ASAP. The lack of humidity kills off the mosquitoes, as they can't acclimate to that type of environment. You'll start to notice a slow decrease in activity, then a complete drop off of the species in your home altogether.
Mosquitoes survive best at humidity levels above 42%. Below 30% humidity can be considered dry or uncomfortable. If you can get your levels between 30% to 42%, this is the sweet spot that makes the space cool and comfortable for you while also keeping those nasty pests outside where they belong. Check out your dehumidifier every now and then to make sure it's running smoothly.
Failing to discard standing water
Something important to know about mosquitoes is that they breed in standing water. Why is this important? Because failing to remove any stagnant water in your kitchen can attract these insects into your home. A small puddle under the sink may not seem like a big deal, but it's like a bed-and-breakfast to mosquitoes during mating season. To avoid these pests from taking over your home, be sure to clear out any standing water throughout your kitchen. This means mopping up any water underneath your leaking appliances and changing out your pet's water bowl frequently.
If you have a clogged kitchen sink and the water isn't draining properly, it's basically a giant pool for mosquitoes to get down and dirty, so grab a plunger or call a plumber immediately. Take a good look at hidden spaces in your kitchen to make sure no moist areas are present. Those are breeding hotspots for mosquitoes too.