Kitchen Deep Clean & Pest Prevention Checklist

Clear all expired dry goods from cabinets — check rice and flour for weevil infestation (webbing, clumping, or live insects)

Seal all gaps around sink drain pipes with caulk — this is the number one cockroach entry route into the kitchen

Pull out the stove and clean the sides, back, and underneath — remove grease and food debris where cockroaches love to hide

Thoroughly vacuum behind and under the refrigerator — check the compressor drip tray for standing water, a hidden cockroach water source

Transfer all opened food into airtight glass or plastic containers — do not leave any food, including fruit, exposed on counters

Use a trash bin with a tight-fitting lid and empty kitchen waste daily — also wipe the floor beneath the bin regularly

Seal all gaps around plumbing penetrations with steel wool and caulk — steel wool cannot be chewed through by rodents, making it the best physical rodent barrier

Install fine mesh drain covers (mesh smaller than 1mm) on all kitchen drains — cover nightly to prevent cockroaches from crawling up through the sewer system

Deep clean the stovetop backsplash and range hood filters — accumulated grease is a food source for cockroaches and a scent trail for ants

Check the dishwasher door seal for grime and mold, and the microwave keypad gaps for food splatter — these crevices are micro-restaurants for cockroach nymphs

Wash pet food bowls daily and do not leave pet food or water out overnight — this is a free buffet for rodents and ants