7 Sneaky Places Cockroaches Love to Hide in Your Home
Infested With Cockroaches in Your Home? Call Maximum trained exterminators to help eradicate cockroaches in the house (905) 582-5502.
Catching a cockroach scurrying across your kitchen floor is never a welcome sight. But if you spot one, there are likely many more lurking just out of view. They are masters of stealth when it comes to infesting our homes. They squeeze into tiny crevices and stay hidden in the shadows, often only emerging at night to search for food.
Want to locate and eliminate these uninvited nasty crawlers? Knowing where they tend to hide is step one. Here are seven of their favourite hangouts to keep a close eye on.
- Under and Behind Large Appliances
Appliances like refrigerators, stoves, dishwashers, and washing machines provide warm, moist environments that cockroaches love. They crawl into tight crevices behind and underneath these appliances where they can breed undisturbed. Routinely pull large appliances away from walls to inspect all sides and rear areas thoroughly. Check for living or dead roaches, egg cases, and dark specks which may be droppings or debris. Pay particular attention near motors which produce heat. Also examine vents, hoses, electrical cords, and any cracks that could provide entry.
- Inside Kitchen Cabinets, Drawers and Pantries
Kitchens provide everything cockroaches need – food, water and shelter. They are especially drawn to cabinets, drawers, and pantries where food is stored. Check in cabinet corners, along hinges, under sinks, and behind drawers for signs of infestation. Inspect food packages and containers closely before use.They can chew into cardboard, paper, and plastic to contaminate anything edible inside. Watch for tiny holes that provide entry.
- Behind and Under the Refrigerator
The narrow space between the refrigerator and wall is like a hidden passageway for them. They use this out-of-sight area to travel between rooms undetected. Use a flashlight to peer behind and under refrigerators, especially near pipes and electrical connections which they use as highways. This gap is also a spot where dead roaches and egg cases may accumulate. If you are replacing an older refrigerator, thoroughly clean and disinfect this area immediately to eliminate any lingering pests.
- Inside Hollow Furniture Legs and Frames
Cockroaches can climb up furniture and squeeze into hollow legs, posts, or frames to hide and breed inside. Flip over chairs, tables, sofas, and beds to see if roaches have infested the void spaces. Tap on legs and listen for a hollow sound which may indicate pests inside. Pay special attention to furniture in damp areas like bathrooms and basements which are prone to infestation.
- Among Paper Clutter and Cardboard
Cockroaches prefer tight zones but will temporarily hide among piles of paper, books, files, packaging, and cardboard until they can retreat back to nesting areas. When disturbed, they often scurry into clutter for cover. Eliminate cardboard boxes and paper clutter to remove these easy hiding spots. Also shake out books, files, papers and other items relocated from a known infested area to be sure no pests are transferred.
- Inside and Behind Electronics
Televisions, computers, stereos, gaming consoles and other electronics offer warmth and narrow spaces that appeal to cockroaches. They enter through vents and small openings, potentially damaging wires and causing shorts. Routinely inspect electronics for signs of infestation. Shine a flashlight into openings and spray a non-conducting insecticide into cracks and crevices where pests may lurk. Cover ventilation holes with fine mesh to prevent re-entry.
- Under and Behind Bathroom and Kitchen Sinks
Cockroaches require water to survive, so bathrooms and kitchens are prime targets. They gather near sinks, toilets, drains, pipes and the warm, moist motors of appliances like dishwashers. Use adhesive traps and insecticides under and behind sinks to catch roaches travelling to and from nesting areas. Caulk cracks to eliminate entry points. Fix any leaky plumbing immediately and keep sink areas clean and dry.
How to Prevent Cockroach Infestations?
Along with checking possible hiding places, take these steps to deter them:
- Vacuum and mop floors frequently to remove crumbs and debris.
- Rinse dishes, empty trash, and wipe up spills right away. Don’t leave out food overnight.
- Store food in airtight containers and inspect packages before use.
- Seal gaps and cracks around windows, pipes, wires and baseboards.
- Fix leaky plumbing and water damage quickly.
- DE-Clutter cabinets, closets and storage to eliminate hiding spots.
- Keep pet food in sealed containers and clean dishes promptly.
When to Call a Pest Control Expert
These seven spots are just a sampling of common roach hideouts. Other possible habitats include cracks in walls and floors, furniture cushions, potted plants, trash cans, attics, basements and pet bedding. Be diligent in searching all areas of your home, especially where food, water and warmth are found. Eliminating their hiding places is crucial to gain control over a cockroach infestation.
Some signs like droppings and egg cases are telltale clues to locate their nesting spots. Call an exterminator if an infestation persists after thorough cleaning and insecticide treatment. They can pinpoint areas that need attention and apply stronger products not available to consumers. With vigilance and persistence, you can evict these unseemly squatters from your home. Don’t give cockroaches room to breed and multiply. Keep an eagle eye on their favourite haunts and send these insects packing.
If you require pest control for cockroaches infestation that persists after thorough cleaning and home treatment, call Maximum Pest Control Services. Our licensed exterminators have the powerful commercial-grade insecticides and precision application techniques to eliminate cockroach populations. We will hunt down their hiding spots, treat the entire home, and follow up to ensure the cockroaches are completely eradicated. Don’t live with these pests. Connect with Maximum Pest Control Services Today (905) 582-5502 or (289) 396-5426.
