How To Kill Bugs In A Garbage Disposal

Bugs often are attracted to food particles and bacteria that may become lodged or form in your sink's garbage disposal. You may use your garbage disposal to grind up food items that you wish to dispose of in your sink rather than using a trash can. If you do not run or clean your garbage disposal often, food particles may become stuck under the blades in the disposal. Improper upkeep may cause bugs to create a home in your garbage disposal. You can eliminate bugs from your disposal with a few household items and a small amount of time. Once you kill the bugs, be sure to clean your garbage disposal on a regular schedule.

Step 1

Pour liquid dishwashing soap down the sink's drain. Turn on your faucet, as hot as possible. Allow the soap and water to run and flush out any food particles that may remain in your garbage disposal. Remove the drain's covering and scrub inside the drain with a scrub brush while the water is running to remove the food particles and allow them to run down the drain. You should do this at least once a day to prevent bugs in your garbage disposal or a few times a day if there are already bugs inside the garbage disposal.

Step 2

Dump a few ice cubes down the drain and turn your disposal on. The ice will help loosen any food particles that may be wedged and stuck in your garbage disposal. Run hot water down the drain and add liquid dishwashing soap to rinse the drain. Measure out 1/2 cup of baking soda and pour the baking soda down into your garbage disposal. If your sink has a separate drain, place a cover over its opening. Measure and pour 1 cup of white vinegar down into your garbage disposal. Immediately place a cover over the garbage disposal's drain and allow the mixture to soak for at least 10 minutes. Fill a large pan or bowl with water and bring it to a boil using your stove or your microwave. Remove the cover from the garbage disposal's drain, pour the boiling water down the drain and turn the garbage disposal on while the water runs down the drain. The baking soda and vinegar mixture will not only remove food particles but it will kill any pests living in your garbage disposal.

Step 3

Measure 1 tbsp. of bleach and mix it with 1 gallon of water. Pour the mixture down into the garbage disposal and allow it to soak for at least 10 minutes. Turn your faucet on and allow cool water to run and flush out the food particles and the bleach. If you still notice bugs, repeat this process until the bugs die or increase the amount of bleach used to 2 tbsp. and 1 gallon of water.