Every time the dreaded bin chute fogging day rolls around, you’re back to taping your rubbish chute to keep pests out. This might be a temporary stopgap, but there are more effective ways to stop pests from creeping into your kitchen for good.
From improving your chute hopper’s seal to using professional-grade pesticides, here are some rubbish chute hacks that will help keep your kitchen pest-free, especially after a fogging session.
1. Ensuring a proper airtight seal
Image adapted from: Riben
Everyone is familiar with taping up the rubbish chute ahead of fogging days, but a commonly overlooked spot is the gap under the handle flap of the chute hopper. The small gap might seem insignificant, but don’t underestimate it—cockroaches can still squeeze through and creep into your kitchen.
Image credit: Affordable Handyman Services Singapore
Your chute hopper will definitely see wear and tear over the years, with the fit between the hopper and the chute coming loose over time. To fix this, you can fix silicone or rubber gaskets around the edge of the chute perimeter to improve the airtightness of the seal. A tighter seal not only reduces the chances of pests creeping in, but also helps to keep any foul odours out of your kitchen.
Image credit: Maxden
When all other methods of sealing the chute fail, and pests continue to escape into your kitchen, it might be time to consider installing a new self-sealing rubbish chute hopper. This is especially useful if your rubbish chute is worn out and you’re tired of battling pests at home.
Since HDB doesn’t allow homeowners to permanently seal off rubbish chutes, the next best alternative is to reinstall a chute with an airtight seal. Brands such as Maxden offer a self-sealing design with a pneumatic-magnetic gasket for an airtight seal. Others, like Riben, have an improved rubber seal technology that is also used for car doors.
Installing a new rubbish chute doesn’t mean that you can skip regular cleaning, maintenance is still required to ensure long-term effectiveness.The gasket and seals should be cleaned every 3 to 6 months to remove debris buildup and keep the airtight seal effective.
2. Installing an insect mesh screen
For an extra layer of protection between the rubbish chute and your kitchen, consider adding a sliding insect mesh on the opening of your rubbish chute hopper. Some models function like a door, creating an additional barrier against pests, while some mesh screens are retractable so you can adjust the height as needed.
The mesh screen helps to stop pests from entering your kitchen, especially on fogging days. To ensure a snug seal around your chute, these can be custom-fitted to your chute chopper’s measurements.
Image adapted from: Goh SP on Facebook
For homeowners on a tight budget, DIY insect mesh screens are also available from Taobao for under $5. These come with a magnetic tape that adheres to the perimeter of your rubbish chute, allowing the mesh screen to be easily pulled down when you want to throw your trash out.
However, it is important to note that installing an insect mesh screen alone isn’t a foolproof solution for keeping pests out of your kitchen, as smaller insects might be able to pass through the holes of the mesh. To strengthen your home’s defence against pests, combine the mesh screen with other forms of deterrence such as regular insecticide application.
3. Pre-emptive insecticide application
Image credit: Pest Control Singapore
You might have heard of using pandan leaves to keep cockroaches out of your kitchen, but this is largely an urban legend. It might even backfire, as cockroaches can feed on the leaves and nest in your kitchen. Stronger insecticides are still needed for effective pest control, effectively eliminating them from your kitchen.
Regular preventative spraying of insecticide helps to create a protective barrier between your kitchen and the rubbish chute, especially when it’s done pre-emptively, ahead of scheduled fogging sessions. Look out for oil-based insecticides, or insecticides that offer surface treatment, as they tend to last longer on metal surfaces such as the rubbish chute door and side walls. This will create a strong defensive coating on your rubbish chute hopper when reapplied regularly.
Placing cockroach sticky traps or baits near the rubbish chute will also help to contain any stray pests escaping from the chute, preventing them from running amok in your home.
Image credit: A-Z Animals
For homeowners with pets or young children, natural pesticides offer a non-toxic pest control solution safe for humans and pets. One common natural pesticide is food-grade diatomaceous earth powder, which can be applied along the rubbish chute and dark corners of the kitchen.
While the powder works slower than chemical pesticides, it is effective in killing cockroaches and other insects by cutting into their exoskeletons and dehydrating them over a few days. Regular reapplication is still required to ensure effective pest control in the kitchen, keeping bugs out in the long term.
4. Opting for professional-grade pesticides
Image credit: Syngenta
If store-bought pesticides continue to fall short when it comes to eliminating stubborn pests, use professional-grade pesticides, such as the Advion ant and cockroach gel bait, recommended by pest control companies. Rest assured that there are some pesticides specially formulated to be safe for use in food preparation areas, so you can use them in your kitchen without any worries.
Though they can cost more than typical store-bought sprays, they provide true peace of mind by eradicating entire cockroach colonies. Many of these solutions are packaged in syringes for precise application around the rubbish chute, enabling you to easily target hard-to-reach corners with less mess than aerosol sprays.
5. Reducing dark corners in the kitchen
Image credit: @sg_rinterior and @jiamushi_
In the pursuit of a neater kitchen, homeowners often adopt the popular trend of concealing the rubbish chute behind cabinets. However, this creates dark and enclosed corners where pests can easily hide, especially cockroaches, which thrive in low-light environments.
Leaving the rubbish chute exposed to light and maintaining a clean and uncluttered space around it can help to prevent pests from hiding and breeding. If you prefer to hide the rubbish chute, consider cabinets that partially conceal the chute with cut-outs. These partially concealed cabinets will still let some light through, creating a brighter environment that deters pests.
Regular cleaning and decluttering can go a long way in preventing insect nesting spots in your kitchen. Be sure to keep an eye out for cockroach eggs and nymphs in dark corners of the kitchen during your regular kitchen cleaning, or else you might end up with unexpected visitors later on.
Rubbish chute suppliers in Singapore
If you’re tired of taping up your rubbish chute and are ready to swap it for a newer model, here’s a short list of rubbish chute suppliers for different budget ranges.
| Rubbish Chute Supplier | Price |
| A1 Rubbish Chute |
|
| ACME Design |
|
| EA Home Decor |
|
| LS Handyman |
|
| Maxden |
|
| Riben |
|
Rubbish chute hacks to keep pests out of your home
With these simple hacks, your rubbish chute can become the first line of defence against pests entering your kitchen. Chute fogging days no longer have to be a dreaded event, with fewer pests to chase after and eliminate.
For more tips to keep your home pest-free:
- 7 super effective ways to keep pests out of your HDB
- Save $1.2K by installing your own mosquito nets
- My HDB was infested with bed bugs
Cover image adapted from: Goh SP on Facebook, Syngenta
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