Are you seeing tiny brown bugs in your kitchen? It’s possible that the culprits are gnats, fruit flies, or any number of other pests. If you’re concerned about what kind of bugs are living in your kitchen, it’s important to identify them so you can get rid of them effectively.
In today’s article, we are talking about 10 tiny brown bugs in kitchen pests you might run into. We’re also going to help you identify them and get rid of them once and for all.
Let’s get started!
Contents
Why Do You Have Tiny Brown Bugs In Kitchen Issues?
Some kitchen pests can be brought into your home accidentally from the supermarket.
Tiny brown bugs in kitchen issues can be an annoyance for anyone. The question is, why do you have tiny brown bugs in kitchen in the first place? Where did they come from? And most importantly, are they dangerous?
Tiny brown bugs can be found in any room of your house but many species of these bugs are often more common in kitchens, bathrooms and basements. The reason for this is that these areas provide a plethora of food sources and excess moisture that can attract these pests and allow them to thrive and reproduce.
If you are dealing with tiny brown bugs in kitchen issues, one of the first things that you need to do is find out where they are coming from. You will usually find these tiny brown bugs in the kitchen or bathroom around drains, in cabinets, beneath sinks, or in pantries. However, they can also be found buzzing around houseplants or near windows.
These pests can come from many places, including vulnerabilities around your home that allow for potential entry points. They can also enter through open doors or windows, or you may have inadvertently brought tiny brown bugs in kitchen pests into your home through infested food you bought at the supermarket.
Tiny brown bugs in kitchen can sometimes be a sign of a bigger problem in your home like a water leak or even a more serious pest infestation. These pests can also be difficult to get rid of due to their small size and the fact that they hide in crevices and cracks. The good news is that most tiny brown bugs in kitchen pests are not dangerous, though some can lead to worsen allergies in those with sensitivities, and others can spread food-borne illnesses.
This means it’s not only important to identify which type of tiny brown bugs in kitchen pests you’re dealing with so you can get rid of them most effectively, but also so you can ensure your family is safe and healthy.
Let’s learn more.
Why Is Identifying Tiny Brown Bugs In Kitchen Pests Important?
Identifying the pest in question helps to ensure you get rid of it properly.
Identifying tiny brown bugs in the kitchen can help ensure you are looking for these pests in the right areas throughout your home. The first thing to do is to examine where the pests were initially found, as well as their physical characteristics. There are several types of tiny brown bugs in your kitchen and they all have different behaviors and habits, which we will go into further down.
It’s also important to note that not all tiny brown bugs that begin in your kitchen will stay in your kitchen. Proper identification of tiny brown bugs in kitchen pests can help you determine if you will need to treat the rest of your house as well for a pest infestation or if you can keep treatment isolated to your kitchen.
Identifying the pests can help ensure you clean properly to remove them and reduce potential illness caused by bacteria. It can also help ensure you use the right products to help get rid of the specific pest for good.
Of course, there are countless tiny brown bugs that could be the culprit of your tiny brown bugs in kitchen pests. However, some of the most common in the United States include:
- Roaches
- Ants
- Pantry Moths
- Weevils
- Common Fruit Flies
- Drugstore Beetles
- Mealworms
- Spider Beetles
- Firebrats
- Red Flour Beetles
In order to go over each of the above tiny brown bugs in kitchen pests and determine which ones you are dealing with, we’ll need to take a deeper dive into them individually. Let’s start with one of the most notorious kitchen pests in the United States – Cockroaches.
1. Roaches
Roaches are some of the most notorious kitchen pests.
Roaches are insects that belong to the family Blattidae. They have a flattened body, long antennae, and long, thin legs. Most species are dark brown or black in color, but some can be tan or yellow. Roaches are generally 1/2 to 3 inches long and can live for about a year, depending on the species.
When it comes to tiny brown bugs in kitchen pets, roaches are some of the most common. They can live almost everywhere, including in homes and apartments. They prefer warm, moist areas with plenty of food and water. You can find these nasty pests under sinks and stoves and around pipes in kitchens.
Roaches are attracted to a few different things, but above all, they prefer good food sources and excess water.
These pests can eat just about anything, including grease, crumbs, and insects — especially dead ones! Many roaches congregate near garbage cans, under tables where crumbs accumulate on the floor, or behind refrigerators where food is stored. Any place where food is left out (even accidentally) can attract roaches.
Water sources are also attractive to these tiny brown bugs in kitchen pests. They like to stay near water sources because they need water to keep themselves hydrated. They also use water to reproduce their eggs. This means that if there is a leak in your pipes or any other source of water in your home, it may be extra attractive to these pests.
Roaches can also be dangerous because they can spread illness-causing bacteria around your kitchen and into your food. It’s important to use proper methods to get rid of them if you’ve identified you’re dealing with them.
To get rid of roaches, use a product specifically designed to get rid of these pests and a product that discloses it works against roaches on the label.
2. Ants
Ants can be a problem not only in your kitchen but also throughout your home.
Ants are social insects that live in colonies made up of hundreds or thousands of individuals who work together for survival. Ant colonies can be found almost anywhere on Earth except Antarctica and a few other isolated places. There are over 12,000 different species of ants in the world today, but they all share similar characteristics: they have three body parts (head, thorax, and abdomen), six legs, and one pair of antennae on their heads.
Most species of ants are small — less than 1/16-inch long — but some species reach lengths up to one inch long! Ants look similar but there are many different types with different behaviors depending on where they live in the world (and sometimes even within your home!).
These insects are common in kitchens because of the many food scraps, crumbs, and spills that can be found there and which attract them. Like many small brown bugs in kitchen pests, ants are attracted to what we eat and drink, including sugar, grease, and protein. The kitchen is also where we store our food and other items that ants may want to take back to their colony.
It’s common for people to find ants around their homes — especially during summer months when food is abundant outdoors or indoors and if you’ve left crumbs or spills on surfaces like countertops or floors. Ants can also be attracted to dirty dishes left in the sink, garbage bins, or improperly stored pantry foods.
These tiny brown bugs in kitchen pests can be a big problem, and they can also carry some diseases. When you have ants in your kitchen, it’s important to get rid of them as soon as possible. The best way to get rid of ants in your kitchen is to Use a product that kills not only scout ants but also the colony. We also suggest you clean up any spills around your home so there’s no food for the ants to eat.
Furthermore, be sure to remove any crumbs or food particles from your countertops and floors daily using a vinegar spray, which you can make yourself.
3. Pantry Moths
Pantry moths are sometimes known as Indianmeal moths.
Pantry moths are the most common type of pests in kitchens, so it’s no wonder they would find themselves on our list of tiny brown bugs in kitchen pests. They live off of pantry foods like grains in their larval stage, so they’re often found in the pantry or kitchen.
These insects typically make their way into homes through packaged foods that have been infested with larvae or eggs in the factory. When you open up a package of food and leave it unsealed, pantry moths can spread to other foods and cause an infestation in your kitchen.
A common sign of these tiny brown bugs in kitchen pests is seeing little holes in food packaging. If you notice lots of little holes all over your food packages and boxes then it’s best to seal the package in a ziplock bag and dispose of it as quickly as possible. If you want to attempt to save the food in question, you can always freeze it for 48 hours to kill any larvae and eggs.
Pantry moths are attracted to kitchens because they like to eat almost anything that contains starch or protein like flour, cereal, pasta, and other grains. They also love nuts and seeds so be careful when storing those items too!
The best way to prevent these tiny brown bugs in kitchen pests is to carefully inspect foods at the supermarket before you purchase them. When you get home, remove the foods from the package and store them immediately in airtight containers made of glass or plastic
4. Weevils
Weevils are a type of kitchen bug that feeds on grains.
Weevils are a type of beetle that is commonly found in kitchens. They look like small, brown, or black beetles with long snouts and usually have a flattened body shape. Weevils have strong jaws that they use to chew through plants, grain, and other foods.
These tiny brown bugs in kitchen pests infest homes and buildings looking for food sources to survive. They often get into kitchens through already-infested foods, especially flour and other grains. If you see weevil larvae in your kitchen, it’s likely that there’s an infestation somewhere else in your home as well.
Weevils like warm places with lots of moisture. They prefer areas with good access to food sources such as pantries or cupboards where flour is stored. If you see weevil larvae crawling on surfaces near food items or large numbers of dead adult beetles on countertops or floors near cupboards, this could be a sign of an infestation problem indoors. Dead adults may also be seen clinging to windows if they flew into them while trying to escape from the house during daylight hours.
Getting rid of weevils is similar to getting rid of pantry moths. It’s important to inspect food carefully before you bring it home from the supermarket and to store pantry food in airtight containers made of thick glass or plastic to prevent potential infestations of these tiny brown bugs in kitchen pests from spreading.
5. Common Fruit Flies
Fruit flies can be found flying around fruit bowls on the counter of your kitchen.
Another culprit of your tiny brown bugs in kitchen issues could be common fruit flies. Fruit flies are small, winged insects that are attracted to sweet liquids, like the juices of ripening fruits. The larvae of most fruit flies feed on decaying organic matter, like garbage or compost piles. Adult females lay their eggs in these materials and larvae develop into pupae before emerging as adults.
Common fruit flies are extremely common worldwide and can be found in many homes and restaurants. They are often seen hovering around windows, doors, and other surfaces where they can easily enter your home. Common fruit flies tend to stay close to food sources such as ripening produce or overripe bananas. They also live outdoors in mulch, compost piles, under tree bark, and other natural habitats. You may see them flying around outdoor lights at night as well.
These tiny brown bugs in kitchen flies are attracted to any sweet food source including rotten produce, juice spills on counters or floors, honeydew from aphids, or other insects infesting plants outside your house. This can lead to fruit flies getting indoors, so protecting your garden from these pests is an important step in preventing them from getting into your kitchen.
You can also work to prevent fruit flies by storing garbage properly and refraining from leaving fruit on the counters to become overly ripe.
6. Drugstore Beetles
Drugstore beetles get their name due to their habit for being attracted to certain prescription drugs.
Drugstore beetles are small, oval-shaped beetles that are about 1/8 of an inch in length. They are mostly black or brownish in color and have a tan head and thorax. They are also known as “cigar beetles” or “cigarette beetles” because they eat materials containing keratin, such as tobacco leaves and animal hooves. These insects can be found worldwide in temperate climates and are common household pests.
A drugstore beetle infestation is more likely to occur if you live in an area with high humidity levels and temperatures above 70 degrees Fahrenheit. This means that your kitchen may be more susceptible to drugstore beetle damage than other rooms in the home. However, these insects can be found in any room where food preparation takes place. They can also invade pantries, cabinets, closets, or cardboard boxes that contain food items.
Like many other pests, drugstore beetles are attracted to light sources at night when they’re looking for mates or food sources. They tend to be active at night when humans aren’t around, however you may see them crawling around if you have a severe infestation.
To get rid of these tiny brown bugs in kitchen pests, look for products that kill and prevent kitchen bugs and a product that is safe to use in areas of the home where food is stored and prepared.
7. Mealworms
Although mealworms are not the most common kitchen pest, they can be problematic.
Mealworms are the larval stage of the darkling beetle, a common pest in homes and businesses. The adult beetles can chew holes in wood and cause other damage, but as adults, they don’t often eat food products or invade the kitchen. However, their larvae do feed on stored grains, flour, pasta, and other dried foods, making them a problem for people who keep large quantities of these items on hand. This is also why they are considered one of our tiny brown bugs in kitchen pests.
With that being said, mealworm infestations aren’t extremely common in kitchens specifically — they’re more likely to be found in pantries or other storage areas where food is kept long-term. They’re attracted to moisture from condensation as well as dampness from leaking pipes or drains under sinks. If you notice signs of infestations like dark stains on walls or ceilings near cabinets, it’s important to take steps to remove infested pantry foods and to get rid of these tiny brown bugs in kitchen issues.
Mealworms can be confused with other small insects such as maggots or grain weevils. However, unlike grain weevils, which feed on grain seeds, mealworms feed on any available organic matter including grains, flour, and cereals as well as other materials such as paper.
Once hatched, the larvae will feed on any type of food they can find including pasta and cereals as well as other items like paper products that may be lying around your kitchen.
To get rid of these pests, remove any infested foods you have discovered. Do a thorough clean of your pantry to remove any potential eggs or mealworms you may have missed, and use a pesticide product that is safe and effective to use in kitchens and against these tiny brown bugs in kitchen pests.
8. Spider Beetles
Spider beetles are not related to spiders, though they do look somewhat like them.
Spider beetles are a type of small beetle that can be found in the kitchen. They are named for their long legs, which make them look like spiders. Spider beetles are attracted to kitchens because they like warm, damp places and because they feed on grain products.
Spider beetles are members of the family Ptinidae and can be found all over the world. There are over 300 species of spider beetles, but they look very different from one another. All spider beetles have long legs and antennae. Their bodies may be red or brown with black spots or spots that match their coloration. Some have stripes or other markings on their bodies as well.
These tiny brown bugs in kitchen pests are quite common in homes throughout North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. They typically live in dark spaces where food is kept warm and moist like pantries or cabinets near sinks. They can also be found outside in mulch piles or along foundations where rotting wood provides them with a place to hide from predators such as birds, which would otherwise eat them if they were easily visible.
Spider beetles are most commonly found crawling on walls or ceilings near windows or other sources of light. You may also find them hiding in cracks or crevices around the home where they can easily hide from predators and prey alike.
They feed on a wide variety of foods including starch-based products such as flour, cereal, grains, and pasta as well as dried fruit and nuts. If you notice tiny brown spots on your food products – especially if they fly away when disturbed – then it’s likely that you have an infestation of these tiny brown bugs in kitchen pests.
Getting rid of spider beetles in the kitchen is easy enough; use a vacuum cleaner equipped with a crevice tool to suck up any beetles you find crawling on the floor or countertops. You can also use insecticidal sprays or powders in cracks and crevices where these tiny brown bugs in kitchen pests might hide.
9. Firebrats
Firebrats are closely related to silverfish.
Firebrats are small, wingless, grayish-black insects that have an oval-shaped body about 1/4 inch long. They have short antennae that are longer than their bodies, and they have six legs. Firebrats are also related to silverfish and waterbugs, which are two other common tiny brown bugs in the kitchen you may contend with.
These pests are common in the Southern United States, where they live outdoors in mulch or under rocks and logs. They can also be found indoors in kitchens and bathrooms — especially in older buildings with leaky plumbing or poorly sealed window frames.
Firebrats love warm environments (about 74°F), so they often gather near heaters, furnaces, and stoves. They also favor moist areas such as sinks and bathtubs, where they may find food scraps to eat while they’re living there.
To prevent firebrats from coming into your home, inspect cracks around window sills for signs of moisture or damage, and fix these problems immediately if you discover them. It’s also important to seal off any open spaces between walls and floors with caulk or silicone sealant (don’t use oil-based sealants because these attract insects), and use an insecticide that specifies it works for common kitchen pests like firebrats.
10. Red Flour Beetles
Red Flour beetles are identifiable thanks to their bright red color.
Red flour beetles are not a common pest when it comes to tiny brown bugs in kitchen issues, but they are not impossible to run into. Worse, they can be very difficult to get rid of. This is because they are attracted to food and flour. They also like to hide in cracks, crevices, and other small spaces around your home and kitchen.
These insects are small pests that typically measure about 1/8 inch long. They are a reddish brown color with a yellowish head. This species of beetle is commonly found in homes in areas where there is food available for them to eat such as pantries or kitchens.
Red flour beetles eat foods such as grains or flour products. If you have any type of infestation with these insects, it’s important that you learn how to get rid of them before they spread throughout your house and cause more damage than just annoyance from their presence.
Red flour beetles also love moisture so they will often be found near sinks or dishwashers because these areas provide them with plenty of water. They are attracted to warm temperatures as well so they can be found around heating vents or inside cabinets where hot air rises.
To get rid of these pests, store your food properly in airtight containers made of plastic or glass. Remove excess water sources around your kitchen and be sure to toss out any infested foods you may find to prevent further infestations.
Managing Tiny Brown Bugs In Kitchen Issues
You can help prevent future kitchen pests by storing food properly and keeping your kitchen nice and tidy.
Tiny brown bugs in the kitchen are not only a nuisance but they can also be dangerous to your health.
These little insects feed on the food that you prepare and store in your kitchen. They can also spread disease by contaminating your food, and may even cost hundreds of dollars in food waste. You can prevent these tiny brown bugs from entering your home by following these simple techniques:
First, keep up with routine home maintenance both inside and out. Make sure that you clean behind appliances and in cabinets routinely and vacuum your kitchen regularly, especially around baseboards and furniture legs.
Avoid leaving dirty dishes in the sink overnight. Tiny brown bugs in kitchen pests love to feed on scraps from dirty dishes left overnight in the sink or on countertops.
Store your garbage properly, and always use a tightly sealed container for storing trash until trash pickup day.
It’s also best to:
- Keep perishable foods in the refrigerator when not being cooked or eaten
- Keep pantry foods stored in airtight containers made of glass or plastic
- Use a form of pest control year-round that is safe to use in areas where food is stored and prepared
Last, if you can’t seem to get rid of tiny brown bugs in kitchen pests or if they seem to keep coming back, we suggest you contact a professional pest control company for help.
Thanks for reading!
Jack founded our blog after two decades of working in the pest control industry. His vast experience dealing with a wide array of pests allows him to diagnose issues quickly and get to the heart of pest problems quickly and effectively. He has serviced more than 2,000 homes over his career and there is hardly any pest situation that he has not seen before.