Roaches are among the most unwelcome household pests, known for their resilience and rapid reproduction, but what attracts roaches in the first place? Understanding what attracts cockroaches and why they invade homes and businesses can help you take preventive measures to keep them out. In this blog, we explore what attracts roaches to your home or business, how they get in, and effective strategies to keep them away.
What Are Roaches Attracted to?
Roaches are drawn to three primary resources: food, water, and shelter. These pests thrive in environments where they can easily access these essentials. In California, several species of cockroaches—like German, American, and Oriental roaches—are common household pests, each with different habits and infestation risks. One of the biggest factors that contribute to a roach infestation is food. Roaches are scavengers, meaning they will eat almost anything. Crumbs, food scraps, grease buildup, unsealed pantry items, pet food left out overnight, and trash all serve as easy meals for these pests. Leaving food out or having open food containers can significantly increase the risk of an infestation. Keeping food sealed and maintaining a clean kitchen are key steps to reducing what attracts roaches to your home.
While food is a significant attractor, water is even more critical to roach survival. Roaches can live longer without food than water. Common sources of moisture that attract them include leaky pipes, standing water in sinks or bathtubs, pet water bowls, and excessive humidity in basements and bathrooms. Fixing leaks and controlling humidity levels can minimize what attracts cockroaches to your home.
In addition to food and water, roaches seek shelter in dark, warm, and hidden places to nest and reproduce. They often hide in cracks and crevices in walls, under appliances like refrigerators and stoves, inside piles of cardboard, paper, or clutter, and in cabinets and pantries. Decluttering and sealing potential entry points are essential for keeping these winged pests out.
9 Tips to Keep Roaches Out of Your Property
If you want to keep roaches out of your property, you need a combination of cleanliness, preventative measures, and vigilance. As mentioned previously, roaches are opportunistic pests that seek food, water, and shelter. Unfortunately, even the cleanest homes can sometimes attract them if certain conditions are met. Here are 9 tips for keeping roaches at bay on your property:
1. Keep your home or business clean:
A clean property is one of the best deterrents for roaches. These pests thrive in environments where food and debris are easily accessible. To reduce the chances of an infestation, sweep and mop floors regularly, wipe down countertops and kitchen surfaces, wash dirty dishes immediately after use, vacuum rugs and carpets frequently, and regularly clean under appliances such as refrigerators, stoves and microwaves where food and grease tend to accumulate.
2. Store food properly:
Roaches can detect even small traces of food, so proper food storage is essential. Use airtight containers for dry goods like rice, flour, and cereals, and keep fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator instead of on countertops. It’s also best to store pet food in sealed containers and avoid leaving pet bowls with food out overnight that could attract roaches.
3. Take Out the Trash Frequently
Trash bins can be a buffet for roaches if they are not handled properly. To deter roaches from moving in, use trash bins with tight-fitting lids to prevent roaches from getting inside. It’s best to take trash out daily or as frequently as possible if it contains food waste. Rinse out recyclable containers before placing them in recycling bins, and clean garbage cans regularly to remove food residue and odors. Even small scraps of food in the trash can attract roaches, so staying on top of your waste management is key.
4. Eliminate Water Sources
Water is one of the most critical resources for cockroaches. While they can survive weeks without food, they cannot survive long without water. To minimize their access, fix leaky pipes under sinks and in bathrooms as soon as possible. It’s also important to dry out sinks, bathtubs, and countertops after use. Homeowners might choose to use dehumidifiers in damp areas such as basements, laundry rooms, and bathrooms to combat poor ventilation in high-humidity areas and prevent excess moisture buildup. By removing what roaches are attracted to, you make your property less hospitable for roaches.
5. Seal Entry Points
Roaches can squeeze through incredibly small gaps, making it essential to seal any potential entry points. Pay attention to cracks and gaps in walls, especially near baseboards and cabinets or gaps around doors and windows. Look out for openings where plumbing and electrical wiring enter the home. It’s a good idea to seal these crevices with caulk, foam insulation, or mesh screens to prevent roaches from coming through. By sealing entry points, you cut off access to your home or business and reduce the likelihood of an infestation.
6. Declutter Your Home or Business
Roaches love to hide in dark, undisturbed places, making clutter an ideal habitat. Reducing hiding spots by removing clutter, storing items in plastic bins, and keeping storage areas organized makes it harder for roaches to find shelter and makes spotting an infestation easier.
7. Set Bait and Traps
If you suspect a roach problem, setting bait stations and traps can help monitor and reduce their population. Gel bait stations contain a slow-acting poison that roaches are attracted to and bring back to their nests. Boric acid is a natural yet effective insecticide that can be applied in areas where roaches frequent, and sticky traps can be placed near baseboards, under sinks, and behind appliances to catch roaches.
8. Inspect Items Before Bringing Them Inside
Roaches often hitchhike into properties with items that come from outside. To prevent unwanted guests, check grocery bags, inspect second-hand furniture, and wash thrifted clothing or linens immediately after bringing them home. Taking these precautions can prevent roaches from entering your home unnoticed.
9. Call A Professional
If you want to be certain that roaches will leave your property alone, it’s best to contact a professional pest control service that specializes in cockroach infestations. Roaches are resilient pests that can multiply quickly, and DIY solutions may not be effective for severe infestations. A professional pest control company like Preventive Pest Control will conduct a thorough inspection to identify the problem area, use professional-grade treatments, and offer long-term prevention plans to keep your home roach-free.
If you’re experiencing increased cockroach activity, it likely comes down to available food, water, and shelter. Even the cleanest homes can attract roaches if there are leaks, unsealed food, or entry points. To prevent infestations, regularly clean kitchen surfaces and floors, take out the trash frequently and use sealed bins, store food in airtight containers, repair leaks and eliminate excess moisture, and seal cracks and openings in walls and around doors.
How Do Cockroaches Get Into Your House?
Cockroaches can enter homes through various means, even if you keep your space clean. Small openings in doors, windows, or walls provide perfect entry points. They also travel through plumbing and drains, often emerging from sinks and bathtubs. One of the telltale signs that roaches have invaded your home is their droppings. Cockroach poop varies in appearance depending on the species, but it’s often mistaken for dirt or coffee grounds, making infestations harder to detect. Additionally, they can hitch a ride inside cardboard boxes, grocery bags, or second-hand furniture. Roaches can easily migrate from a neighboring unit through shared walls if you live in an apartment.
When is it Time to Call a Professional?
If you’ve taken preventative measures but still see roaches, it may be time to seek professional pest control services. Although they primarily feed on food scraps, cockroaches have been known to bite humans in extreme cases, especially when populations are high and food is scarce. Roaches are resilient and can multiply quickly, making DIY solutions ineffective for severe infestations. Beyond being a nuisance, cockroaches can spread bacteria, trigger allergies, and worsen asthma symptoms, making them more than just an unsightly problem.
Preventive Pest Control of Southern California specializes in eliminating roaches and preventing future infestations. Our expert team can identify problem areas, eliminate roaches, and provide ongoing personalized protection for your home. Don’t let roaches take over your home or business! Contact Preventive Pest Control today for Orange County pest control services or pest control in the Inland Empire and enjoy a roach-free property.