Bugs in kitchen

JamesFromSomewhere

Hello,

Yesterday I noticed some bugs in my kitchen. Weevils or booklice or something. I cleaned the kitchen counter, mugs and everything on the sides. Then I saw them on the windowsill so that got cleaned and everything on it.

Then I looked up. Stuff on top of my kitchen cupboards had quite a bit. Ice lolly moulds with a few families living in there. Our summer fridge water jug had some. Then I looked in the top cupboard. Not loads, but some, scattered around. 

I've no idea how long they've been here or how they got here. The flour is gone now, just incase, though it looked clean.

Basically it seems like a biggish infestation. I've cleaned the tops of the cupboards but just don't have the time to do the inside of the cupboards. I haven't got them all so they'll keep coming back won't they?

What's my options? I heard bay leaves, but won't they just go somewhere else in my flat? The bay leaves wont kill them so that seems to late.

I'm at a loss to be honest, but I don't want these bugs in my kitchen. Attached is what were in a mug. Thank you.

Apodemus

While you don't give a size, they look like species of Collembola to me - springtails and their ilk.   Used to be considered as the most primitive of the insects, but now hived off into their own distinct Order. They are part of nature's "clean-up crew", living on all the detritus that accumulates and they won't cause you any harm.  If you would rather not share your kitchen surfaces with them, a good cleaning and keeping the humidity down is about all that you can usefully do.

JamesFromSomewhere

Apodemus said:

While you don't give a size, they look like species of Collembola to me - sprintails and their ilk.   Used to be considered as the most primitive of the insects, but now hived off into their own distinct Order. They are part of nature's "clean-up crew", living on all the detritus that accumulates and they won't cause you any harm.  If you would rather not share your kitchen surfaces with them, a good cleaning and keeping the humidity down is about all that you can usefully do.

Thank you. We had a dehumidifier so we'll try and use that during the nights. Can't really keep the humidity down during the day because it's a kitchen.

They are quite small, the photo is zoomed in X10 from my phone.

Apodemus

JamesFromSomewhere said:

Apodemus said:

While you don't give a size, they look like species of Collembola to me - sprintails and their ilk.   Used to be considered as the most primitive of the insects, but now hived off into their own distinct Order. They are part of nature's "clean-up crew", living on all the detritus that accumulates and they won't cause you any harm.  If you would rather not share your kitchen surfaces with them, a good cleaning and keeping the humidity down is about all that you can usefully do.

Thank you. We had a dehumidifier so we'll try and use that during the nights. Can't really keep the humidity down during the day because it's a kitchen.

They are quite small, the photo is zoomed in X10 from my phone.

I'd focus on the cleaning first!

JamesFromSomewhere

I've used Dettol on most of the surfaces and areas I can find but they're still there. Not as many because I've killed a lot, but I can't get to every nook and cranny.

Apodemus

Every house has them, but if they are noticeable in large numbers then you just need to keep persevering with the cleaning and try to reduce the number of refuge areas where they are safe from your efforts.  You'll soon get the population back under control!

twopenny

You could give lavender water spray, you can make it yourself and it's been used to keep insects at bay since forever.

Add some lemon oil to vinegar when you're cleaning.

But you are right, they could go elsewhere. Perhaps use the smelly stuff then keep the doors and windows open and the connecting door shut.

Other oils that deter critters are Cedar and Sandlewood.

It's an old rememedy, remember lavender in wardrobes, Cedar or sandalwood boxes to store precious linens etc.

JamesFromSomewhere

Thanks for all the advice. I will certainly do this. I'll find time at the weekend to kill all the buggers.

I wouldn't mind so much in other rooms, I just don't like them in the kitchen. 

(Removed by Forum Team)

I appreciate where you are coming from, but I work a full time job and am being made redundant. I have 2 small kids at home and my father in law has just passed 6 days ago.

So I need to look for a new job, help my partner arrange his funeral and sort through his estate which includes his house (while mourning), help with the kids and clean a packed kitchen. All with a full time job.

So sorry if I've sent 2 minutes on here working out where to begin with a few little bugs while also researching other stuff going on in my life.

Keep_pedalling

I am pretty sure they are  Psocids (barkflies and booklice), harmless in themselves, but if they are in your house they will be feeding on fungus so that indicates a damp issue. Known as booklice as they were best known for feeding on fungi growing on the glue used to bind books, again only an issue if the books were suffering from damp conditions.

JamesFromSomewhere

We don't have mold in the kitchen, not that I can see. I've had mold elsewhere in the past so I know what I'm looking for but I believe the kitchen is mold free.

Keep_pedalling

JamesFromSomewhere said:

We don't have mold in the kitchen, not that I can see. I've had mold elsewhere in the past so I know what I'm looking for but I believe the kitchen is mold free.

None that can see you mean, not all moulds are visible to the naked eye and their are thousands of species many of which are microscopic.