Cockroaches are probably one of the most common household pests you can have, and they can show up even when your home looks spotless. Understanding what draws cockroaches to a place can help you figure out what’s making your home such a haven for these unwanted critters. Food crumbs, excess moisture, clutter, and an easy way in can all add up to create a home where cockroaches feel right at home.
The good news is that most of the things that bring cockroaches to your door are things you can get a handle on. Making a few small changes to your cleaning habits, how you store food, manage moisture, and keep your home maintained can make your property a lot less welcoming. Here are the main things cockroaches are looking for and the common mistakes you should steer clear of.
1. Food and Food Crumbs
Food is probably the main reason cockroaches show up at your house. They’re opportunistic eaters and can make do on really small amounts of food, so it’s not just about having a messy kitchen. A few crumbs under the fridge, grease around the stove or on your counters, or just general food residue is enough to give them a food source.
Cockroaches tend to be drawn to:
- Crumbs and food particles that have accumulated on your countertops or floors.
- Grease and cooking oils that spill or drip.
- Sugary foods that are left out or spilled.
- Pet food if its left unattended.
- Dirty dishes that sit in the sink.
- Food that’s left uncovered or unsealed.
- Food residue in trash cans as well as wet or sticky spills.
- Unattended beverages that are left to sit and get stale.
You don’t need a dirty, messy home for cockroaches to show up – even tiny amounts of accessible food can be a problem if it’s left around regularly.
How to prevent cockroaches from getting a foothold
Pay attention to cleaning your countertops and floors regularly, especially after you’ve eaten. Wipe up spills right away and don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink overnight. Also pay some extra attention to areas underneath appliances and furniture, especially if crumbs and spills have a tendency to accumulate.
2. Moisture and Standing Water
Cockroaches need water to survive, so places that are damp or have standing water are especially attractive to them. Leaking pipes, dripping faucets, condensation, or standing water can give cockroaches the moisture they need to survive.
Some common sources of moisture include:
- Leaks from your kitchen or bathroom pipes.
- Dripping faucets that are left to drip.
- Wet sinks that get water stuck in them.
- Damp basements that have water leaking in.
- Water that sits around appliances.
- Condensation on pipes that leads to water accumulation.
- Leaks from your roof.
- Pet water bowls if they’re not kept clean.
- Poor ventilation in your bathroom.
Some cockroach species can go for extended periods without food, but they really need access to water in order to survive.
How to prevent cockroaches getting a foothold
Fix that leak in the pipe ASAP, and make sure to keep your sinks and other wet areas as dry as possible. Give your home a check-under the cabinets every now and then for signs of moisture. If you have pets, you might want to try to keep water to a minimum when it comes to water bowls, or make sure they are changed frequently.
Ventilation can also help get rid of excess moisture in bathrooms, kitchens, and other areas where it tends to build up.
3. Getting Rid of Garbage and Food Waste
Trash can be a cockroach’s best friend – providing both food and shelter. When food scraps, greasy containers, empty drink bottles, and other organic waste start piling up in a garbage bin and it’s not being managed properly – well, you can bet we’ll attract pests.
You know what’s a no-brainer? An uncovered or overflowing garbage bin that becomes a free buffet for cockroaches.
Don’t do these things:
- Keep garbage indoors for days on end
- Use bins without lids that actually fit
- Chuck food scraps into an open trash can like they’re going out of style
- Forget to clean the inside of your garbage container from time to time
- Leave recycling containers all grimy and unwashed
What to do instead
Get some bins with lids that close tight and use them – and make sure to take them out regularly. Don’t be lazy and just chuck food and drink containers in the recycling without rinsing them first. Clean out the inside of your trash cans now and again to get rid of that sticky food residue and all the nasty smells.
4. Keeping a Clutter-Free Home
It’s not all about the food – cockroaches also search for a dark, cozy little hidey-hole to live in and breed.
Cardboard, newspapers, paper bags, boxes, and all those other forgotten items that clutter up our homes can be like a big invitation to these pests. They’ll also hide behind appliances, inside cabinets, under the sink, and in all the cracks and crevices around the walls.
The simplest way to deal with all this clutter is to get rid of it – the less stuff you have lying around, the easier it is to find any signs of cockroach activity.
If you’ve been holding onto some cardboard boxes in the garage, basement, attic or storage room for months on end, why not swap them out for some sealed plastic containers when you can. Keeping your storage areas tidy will also help you spot any problem areas a lot more easily.
5. Not Leaving Pet Food Out
Pet food is another real problem area when it comes to cockroaches. Leaving food out all day gives them a steady supply of grub – they will just keep coming back for more.
And if you’re not paying attention, pet food crumbs can also build up all over the area where you feed your pet.
Try to do better:
- Store your pet food in a sealed container – not just on the counter
- Give those food bowls a good clean now and again
- Don’t leave any leftover food lying around
- Clean up any spills right away
- Try not to leave food on the floor (or anywhere else for that matter)
You don’t have to stop feeding your pet altogether – the goal is just to reduce how much food is lying around for the cockroaches to snack on.
6. Sealing Up Your Home
You might be keeping your home spotless, but unless you seal up all the cracks and gaps around your property, cockroaches will still be able to sneak in.
Here are some common entry points these pests use:
- Cracks around doors and windows
- Gaps around plumbing pipes
- Openings around utility lines
- Damaged screens
- Gaps under doors
- Cracks in the walls or foundations
- Openings around cabinets
- Areas where pipes and wires come into your home
Inspect all these areas and use some suitable sealant to plug the gaps – and make sure all your doors and windows shut properly. Weather stripping and door sweeps can also help keep those cockroaches out.
7. Getting Rid of Warm, Dark Places
Cockroaches like it warm and cozy – and that usually means they like kitchens, bathrooms, utility rooms, garages, and the space behind your appliances.
The bit of space behind a fridge or stove is a perfect example of a good cockroach hideout – warm, dark and full of tasty crumbs.
When you’re cleaning, don’t just focus on the surfaces you can see – move things around and give those hard-to-reach areas a good clean to get rid of all the grease, crumbs and other debris that these pests love to munch on.
8. Common Mistakes That Are an Open Invitation to Cockroaches
Knowing what draws cockroaches is only half the battle – avoiding the mistakes that pretty much guarantee they’ll show up is just as crucial.
Leaving Dirty Dishes Piling Up Overnight
When you leave dirty plates and cookware with food residue sitting around, you’re basically putting a giant neon sign on your countertops saying “Free buffet!” – wash up after every meal and give your sink and counters a good clean.
Overlooking a Small Leak
It may not seem like a big deal, but that tiny drip from your kitchen faucet can still be a major aggravation for cockroach fans. Check your plumbing, under your sinks, and in your cabinets for any signs of dampness.
Storing Food in Open Containers
Don’t make it easy for them – cockroaches can get into almost any open bag or container. Store your pantry stuff in sealed bins whenever humanly possible.
Letting a Mess Build Up
It’s not just the cockroaches that have a hard time dealing with clutter – you do too. Clutter creates hiding places and just makes it harder to spot pests. Keep your storage areas tidy, and ditch all the unnecessary boxes and paper you can.
Forgetting to Tidy Up After Your Pets
Don’t let pet food just sit out for ages – that’s just a free all-you-can-eat for your unwanted critter friends. Keep your pet feeding areas clean and store food securely.
Ignoring the Outdoor Conditions
And before you get cocky thinking you’ve solved the cockroach problem, don’t forget about the ones that live outside. Excess vegetation, standing water, debris, and poor property maintenance can all attract them to your home. Keep your outdoor areas reasonably tidy and sort out any standing water or pest-friendly areas.
Keep your outdoor areas reasonably clean and toss out any conditions that are just begging for pests.
9. Turning Your Home into a Cockroach-Repellent Zone
Reducing the attraction to pests doesn’t mean making your home impenetrable; just make it a less appealing option. Focus on removing all the things that make your home a magnet.
Keep Pantry Food Tightly Stored
Use sealed bins for your pantry stuff, and clean up crumbs and spills as soon as they happen.
Keep Surfaces Scrubbed Clean
Regularly wipe down your countertops, sweep your floors, and give your appliances a good once-over.
Get a Handle on Moisture
Fix those leaks, dry out damp areas, and improve ventilation in all the right places.
Cut Down on Clutter
Get rid of all the cardboard and paper that’s just sitting around. It’s a hiding place for cockroaches, and it’s just plain unnecessary.
Seal Up Any Entry Points
Take a good long look at your doors, windows, walls, and utility openings. Make sure they’re all tight, and there aren’t any gaps for pests to sneak in through.
Keep Your Outdoor Areas in Check
Don’t let trash pile up and make sure you’re not creating a debris magnet or a standing water hotspot.
10. When’s the Right Time to Call in a Pest Pro?
One cockroach sighting is a long way from a full-blown infestation, but if you’re seeing them again and again and can’t figure out what’s going on, then it’s probably time to bring in the cavalry. Cockroaches are most active at night, so seeing them in the daytime is usually a sign that their hiding spots are getting a bit crowded.
Other warning signs include:
- Droppings everywhere
- Egg cases turning up
- A stench that’s just impossible to ignore
- Finding shed skins all over the place
- Seeing cockroaches in multiple rooms
- Activity around the kitchen or bathroom
- Cockroaches just won’t quit showing up, no matter what you do
If all your new maintenance and moisture-wonkering can’t seem to get rid of them, then it may be time to call in a pro. They can give your home a good once over, figure out where they’re getting in and suggest a treatment that’ll sort them out for good. And if the infestation is really bad, or you just plain don’t know where to start, a pest control in St. Paul pro can save you a whole lotta stress.
Final Thoughts
So just what draws cockroaches to your place? In most homes, it’s a combination of a few simple things – food, moisture, warmth, shelter, and having a pretty easy time getting in. If you’ve got small amounts of food left over, a bit of standing water, clutter, and unsealed gaps, your property is going to look pretty appealing to cockroaches.
The best bet is to make your home less appealing by keeping food sealed, cleaning the place regularly, keeping an eye on moisture, and clearing clutter. Don’t forget those gaps around windows and doors either. If cockroach activity keeps on happening despite all this, consider getting a professional to have a look before it becomes a nightmare to manage.
FAQs
1. What’s the single biggest thing that attracts cockroaches?
Food, moisture, shelter, and warmth, and it’s pretty much a 50/50 split among all these. And in the case of food, it’s anything from crumbs to grease, pet food, pipes that are leaking or standing water. And clutter, don’t even get me started on clutter.
2. Can even a squeaky clean house get cockroaches?
You bet it can. Sometimes they’ll just sneak in through a tiny crack or down the drain. You can do a million sit-ups a day and keep your house spotless but cockroaches will still find a way to get in.
3. Do cockroaches love water?
Water is essential for them. They need it to survive, so whether it’s a leaky tap, a damp patch of wall or just a puddle of water, it’s all a big attractant.
4. Does pet food really draw cockroaches?
Pet food is a feast for them. Keep your pet’s chow in sealed containers and make sure to clean up their eating area and you might just reduce the risk of getting cockroaches.
5. Why do I keep seeing cockroaches at night?
Well, cockroaches are more active when the lights go out – it’s pretty simple. If you’re seeing a lot of them after dark, it’s probably because they’re on the hunt for food and water. And if you keep seeing them, it’s possible they’re nesting somewhere nearby.
6. What smells make cockroaches do the happy dance?
Grease, food, garbage… Basically anything with a strong smell is going to attract them. Don’t be surprised if they show up at your picnic.
7. Any tips on keeping them out?
Keep food sealed up, clean up crumbs and spills, sort out any damp patches, get rid of clutter, empty the garbage regularly, and seal up any gaps around doors, windows, water pipes, and whatever else they might sneak in through.
8. When do I call in the professionals?
If you’re seeing them regularly, finding cockroach droppings or egg cases, or if the problem isn’t getting any better despite doing all the right things at home, it’s probably time to give a pest control expert a call.