Common kitchen pests at a glance
Most kitchen pests fall into two groups: insects that arrive in food packets and live in your cupboards, and visitors that come in from outside or from neighbouring homes looking for food and warmth.
| Pest | Looks like | Where | Usually |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biscuit beetle | 2–3 mm reddish-brown beetle | Dry food, cupboards, windows | DIY clear-out |
| Indian meal moth | Small moth, copper and grey wings | Cereal, nuts, dried fruit | DIY clear-out |
| Garden ant | Small black ants in a trail | Worktops, sweet food | DIY baiting |
| German cockroach | 10–15 mm, light brown, two stripes | Behind appliances, warm gaps | Professional |
| Silverfish | Silvery, wriggling, three tail bristles | Sinks, damp corners | DIY |
| House mouse | Droppings and gnawed packets | Back of cupboards | Often DIY |
| Fruit fly | Tiny tan flies with red eyes | Fruit bowl, food bin, sink | DIY |
Bugs in flour, rice and cereal
Tiny beetles, weevils, moths and mites almost always arrive in an infested packet. The fix is a thorough clear-out: check every dry food in the cupboard, bin what's infested, vacuum the shelves and store food in airtight containers. Our pantry pests guide has the full checklist.
Something scuttling at night
Insects that scatter when you turn the light on are usually cockroaches or silverfish. Cockroaches are faster and bigger and live behind warm appliances. Silverfish wriggle and prefer damp spots. See our guides to cockroaches and silverfish.
Questions people ask
Are kitchen bugs a sign of a dirty kitchen?
Usually not. Most pantry pests arrive in shop-bought packets, and cockroaches and ants come in from outside or neighbouring homes.
Do I have to throw everything away?
Only food that's infested or in open packets. Sealed tins and jars are fine. Freeze anything you're unsure about for four days.
Can I use insect spray in the kitchen?
Keep sprays away from food and surfaces you prepare food on. Gel baits in cracks are safer and usually more effective for cockroaches and ants.