Little Dead Bugs In Fridge? Here’s What To Do

Bugs have a pernicious way of finding their way into homes. In some cases, you can even find them in your fridge. When this happens, you may be wondering what to do to get them out. Fortunately, we have done some research for you, and here's what we found out. 

Do these when you see dead bugs in your fridge:

  • Check all compartments for bugs
  • Clean your fridge
  • Clean the surroundings of your fridge

This is an easy task that can be done by anyone. Keep reading to get detailed information on how to get rid of dead dead bugs in your fridge.

A refrigerator in a modern kitchen, Little Dead Bugs In Fridge? Here's What To Do

What To Do When You Find Little Dead Bugs In Your Fridge

Bugs can get into your fridge and die after some time. Here are some things you can do whenever you find dead bugs in your fridge:

Check All Compartment For Bugs

When you find dead bugs in your fridge, the first thing to do is to check every compartment to see if there are more bugs or larvae. When you see signs of them, dispose of the containers or other items they may have infected.

A dead cockroach in the kitchen countertop

If you find any in your food, toss it instead of eating it. This is because bugs carry bacteria that can cause different types of diseases. 

Clean Your Fridge

Before cleaning your fridge, you need to unplug it and put the uncontaminated food in a container. Items that need to be kept frozen should be put in a sealed container.

Clean The Surrounding Of Your Fridge

After cleaning the inside of your fridge, it is important to clean the surrounding area including the back and under. This is because some bugs may be hiding nearby. They may make their way back in if left undisturbed.

How Do Bugs Get Inside My Fridge?

Cockroaches crawling near the refrigerator

Bugs can get inside your refrigerator through cracks, crevices, and some broken corners.  Also, you may be the one bringing them in unknowingly when you shop at a supermarket or food store.

A better way of getting rid of them is by cleaning your fridge with baking soda, vinegar, or dishwashing liquid. It is not advisable to make use of harsh chemicals like bleach when cleaning the inner parts of your fridge. 

Can Bugs Survive In The Freezer?

This depends on how long the bug stays in the refrigerator and the temperature at which the fridge is set. But most times, bugs do not survive in the freezer, they freeze eventually.

Bugs can get into your house through food items sold in plastic sealed containers or cardboard. For a freezer to kill bugs, it needs to be at least 21 degrees Celsius.

To get rid of all life stages of bugs, leave the sealed items in the freezer for about 7 days and ensure that the refrigerator is not opened frequently. The longer the bugs stay in the freezer, the higher the chances of them dying.

Can I Spray Insecticide Inside My Fridge?

Ultra modern marble inspired kitchen

It is not advisable to spray insecticide inside your fridge but you can spray the surrounding. Just don't spray too much. This can be avoided if the bottle of the insecticide has a thin nozzle. Also, ensure that your fridge is tightly closed before spraying. Also, make sure all food is stored in sealed containers. 

What Insect Repellant Can I Apply Inside My Fridge?

The following repellant can be applied inside the fridge to get rid of bugs:

Neem

A neem oil in a small coaster

This is one of the oldest methods of eliminating bugs, and it is safe to use neem inside your fridge. You can use either the oil or the powder. Neem can kill cockroaches.

Before application, mix one spoon of neem oil in a bottle of water. It is better to use a spray bottle for easy application. Next, spray the mixture where the cockroaches use to enter your fridge.

Silica Aerogel

Silica aerogel makes bugs lose water, resulting in dehydration. It kills bugs well, especially cockroaches. Before application, mix the silica aerogel with sugar. The silica aerogel should be more than the sugar, three to one ratio is fine. The sugar is just there to attract the bugs. Spray the mixture where the bugs are usually found.

White Vinegar

White vinegar and baking soda on the kitchen table

White vinegar has about a million and one uses, including fighting insects. If you want to kill bugs like roaches with vinegar, you have to mix one cup of water and the vinegar in a bottle, preferably a spray bottle. Then spray the infested region, make sure to shake the mixture before application.

Boric Acid

Boric acid on the kitchen table

This acid can kill cockroaches by dehydration. If you don't have borax, you can use baking powder instead. You can use sugar to attract the bugs. Mix the boric acid with sugar with a larger quantity of acid than sugar. Make sure to wear gloves before starting the mixing process.

Apply the mixture to the crevice inside your refrigerator. Do this again until you have gotten rid of all the cockroaches in your fridge.

How Long Can Bugs Live In A Fridge?

A blank stamp in the refrigerator

Bugs can go for days in a fridge without dying. If you find insects in your refrigerator, you shouldn't try to wait them out hoping they will die off naturally. Take immediate action to get rid of them once you find them.

How Do You Clean An Infested Fridge?

When you notice that your fridge has been infested, you need to get rid of the bugs as soon as possible. They cab infect your food thereby causing several diseases.

Carefully observe where the bugs are positioned by looking into every corner of your appliance, most especially the gasket and the motor area. With the use of an insecticide, spray the outer part of the fridge so as to prevent them from spreading. Here are step-by-step procedures for cleaning the inside of a fridge infested with bugs:

Empty Your Fridge

The first thing to do before cleaning your fridge is to remove all the food inside. After you have emptied all that is inside the fridge, take away the drawers and shelves, and use hot water to wash them thoroughly.

Clean With Rag

You can use a rag or sponge dipped in hot water to clean the inner parts of the fridge. After wiping all the needed areas, use a clean rag to do a final cleaning.

Make sure to clean the gasket also. While you are doing this, check for damaged areas. If there are holes in your fridge, then you will need to seal them. When you have gotten to this stage, it is not recommended to use aerosol as this would affect the inner parts of the fridge. 

After getting rid of the bugs, uses a product that will prevent them from coming back. This is why it is recommended to use bleach to clean the gasket as this would make the area uncomfortable for bugs. Bugs that come in contact with this product die. 

Can Bugs Damage A Fridge?

If bugs infest your fridge, its cooling system can get damaged. The bugs can get to each and every area of your cooling system. You may notice their tiny dropping covering the surfaces, corners, cracks, and wires.

Cleaning all these areas is not an easy task. You can do it yourself or contact a company that can clean the whole setup of the fridge and get rid of the bugs.

Spiders can also get to regions like this. The most annoying thing about the spider is its web. The webs have different sizes and textures. They can hardly be seen since they are usually flimsy. But when they get into the machinery, your fridge may start to malfunction.

To Wrap Up

A refrigerator in a modern kitchen

Bugs can cause damage in your home. Whenever you see bugs in your fridge, you should get rid of them as soon as possible. All you have to do is to clean your fridge thoroughly. You can also apply repellents like neem, white vinegar, and boric acid inside your fridge to eliminate the bugs.

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One comment

  1. Certainly, it’s essential to promptly address the presence of bugs in your fridge through thorough cleaning and utilizing natural repellents like neem and vinegar. These steps can certainly help, and it’s wise to take action as soon as possible to maintain a bug-free kitchen.

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