Pests

Pests like roaches and mice are bad and unsafe.

The best way to get rid of pests is to not attract them in the first place. You can do this by keeping your kitchen clean – see the section about cleaning. That said, pests can still happen – especially if you live in a building where your neighbors are not clean, or in older buildings. Here is what you can do.

Traps can help you get rid of mice, roaches, ants, and flies.  Most hardware stores have traps that come with instructions on how to use them. For mice and roaches, stick with an established commercial product. You can find many of these at hardware stores and convenience stores like CVS or Walgreen’s. No kill traps work for mice as well. Sticky paper is good for flies, too – though be careful as it is very very sticky. Most insect traps or repellents kill the roaches and ants. If you are dealing with flies, you can create a few types of fly traps using common household objects.

Commercial sprays like Raid may help, but always read the label before using. Some cannot be used in kitchens, and most should not be used in spaces without windows or ventilation. I suggest cleaning and traps first, and only using sprays if those do not work. Sprays often can make you feel sick as well, and can be dangerous for your pets.

You may also find diatomaceous earth, which is not toxic, helpful if you have roaches, which both kills and wards off roaches. I suggest diatomaceous earth if you have any pets.

If these methods do not work, contact an exterminator. If you rent your home, you may need to contact your landlord first. The exterminator should give you advice on how to prevent the pests from coming back. Remember to let the exterminator know in advance if you have any pets or small children.