How to Get Rid of Cockroaches in Kitchen Cabinets

Opening your kitchen cabinet and finding a cockroach (or three) is quite a terrifying experience.

Nasty roaches are not only unpleasant to look at but also carry several bacteria that they may spread to you and your family.

Cockroaches are frequent visitors in households, with nearly 14 million housing units seeing them around the house. Kitchen cabinets are a favorite for these cockroaches since they contain food that they can feed on.

Let’s look at signs of a cockroach home invasion and learn about ways to get rid of cockroaches in kitchen cabinets and the home.  

Identifying the Signs of a Cockroach Infestation

Cockroaches generally have a flat but hard shell of a body, a rounded head, and multiple legs. Some cockroaches might have wings covering the shell too.

Depending on the species of cockroach such as the American cockroach, German cockroach, or Palmetto bug, you are likely to find them in various colors, from brown, and dark red to black.

Cockroaches secrete pheromones that they then use to find and locate their cockroach friends. These pheromones, along with the feces of cockroaches, serve as a bat signal to other roaches to inform them about a potential source of food and a place to live.

If you spot a cockroach you need to look for its nest area, you should look for live roaches, roach poop droppings, shedded skin, or egg casings. Look all over every cabinet to see where they are located.

You might not be able to spot the cockroaches instantly in the cabinet, in which case you should inspect the corners, the back of the cabinet, the hollows under appliances or open containers, and spilled food/drinks. Under the kitchen sink is another great place to look for roaches.

It is possible that the smell of the food and a nesting spot in the cabinets attracted the cockroaches to the area in the first place.

Preventing Cockroaches from Entering Your Kitchen Cabinets

Here are some ways in which you can prevent cockroaches from entering your kitchen cabinets and home.

Store Food Properly

You must store pet food and your food in a way that bugs cannot get into it. You need to keep the food in kitchen cabinets and the food needs to be sealed or put it into tight containers so the cockroaches cannot get into them.

If you have boxes or store-bought jars, close them tight so that there is no possibility of cockroaches making their way inside.

Dispose of Waste

You must always dispose of the waste in your kitchen including the cabinets. If there are empty packets, food spills, or used containers inside the cabinets, make sure you sweep them up as soon as you can.

Moreover, if you have trash cans and compost bins near the cabinets and in your kitchen, make it a point to replace the garbage bags often.

Keep Kitchen Clean

Dirty dishes, open food, spills, and leaks are some common attractants for cockroaches.

You cannot leave dirty dishes and old pizza boxes laying around. Clean up your messes as soon as possible. You can also wipe down the counters and the cabinets from the inside and outside to prevent roaches.

Get rid of expired food and drinks and use safe cleaning sprays for deep cleaning.

Watch Out for Roaches in Kitchen Cabinets

There are times when you might not even notice the presence of cockroaches in your kitchen cabinet. which is why you must make it a point of inspecting them regularly so that you can get rid of the cockroach problem before it gets worse.

Whenever you do your cabinet cleaning or organizing, make sure you inspect the corners, gaps, and all the containers and boxes. Doing this will ensure that there are no cockroaches or food sources that can draw the cockroaches into the home.

Using Professional Exterminator to Get Rid of Cockroaches

In the case of an infestation, it might be a good idea to call a professional exterminator to get rid of the cockroaches. Here is some information that might help you out.

When to Consider an Exterminator to Help

Seek professional help if the cockroach infestation is too large for you to manage on your own or if none of the other methods seem to work. If the cockroaches also seem to be returning no matter what you do, it might be time to call in a professional.

Instead of going the DIY route you might also simply wish to leave the matter to professionals to get rid of cockroaches in kitchen cabinets and the home.

What to Expect from a Professional Exterminator

Professional exterminators have plenty of experience in eliminating cockroaches. It is important to give them all the information about your roach issue.

They will inspect to see what type of cockroaches have entered your home. They will look to see if it is an American roach, a German roach, or a different cockroach.  

Here is what you can expect.

• Professional tools and equipment
• Strong insecticides, sprays, and gels that will permanently get rid of the infestation
• Methods to find roaches hiding in cracks, gaps, walls, and crevices
• Fast response and hopefully quick results
• Potential removal of other pests present in the home

Note that opting for a professional exterminator might cost you more than the DIY method but the cost is usually worth it, given that it will help get rid of roaches quickly.

How to Find a Reputable Pest Control Company

If you are looking for a pest control company, you should consider elements like the following:

• Its reputation and record of success
• Costs involved
• Types of equipment used
• The permanence of the solution
• Potential use of chemicals
• Usage of organic and food-safe materials
• Efficiency while doing the job

You can check out this site to find a reliable exterminator right where you live.

You can also ask people you know or those in your neighborhood for recommendations. I would check out our link that will show exterminators in your area then you just simply look online for Google reviews. You pick the one with the best reviews.

Eliminating Cockroaches from Kitchen Cabinets

Here are some DIY ways to eliminate cockroaches from kitchen cabinets and your home. Take a look at some methods below.

Non-Toxic Methods

Non-toxic methods help ensure that you can protect the food and your health while still getting rid of cockroaches. We recommend using sticky traps (glue traps), cockroach baits, and gel bait. You can also simply vacuum the area. These solutions help capture or kill cockroaches.

Other Cockroach Repellents

Homemade cockroach repellents require you to make or combine the solution or mixture that you can then spray or place inside the cabinet. Some options include water and dish soap, boric acid powder, vinegar, bleach, baking soda, or even sugar.

I have found these to be not very effective at killing or repelling cockroaches. You can try them I just know they don’t work well.

Insecticides and Baits

You can also buy some stronger insecticides and gel bait online so check out our recommendations. Make sure you clear out the cabinet before you spray the insecticide in the cabinet to kill roaches.

Conclusion

Cockroach infestations are never any good for you and your food, not to mention that they can make you very ill.

Look for live roaches, poop marks, and bad smells to know you might have cockroaches. If you do find a roach move quickly to spray or hire an exterminator.

Preventative measures make sure you also keep your kitchen cabinets and surrounding areas clean to prevent attracting cockroaches and other insects.

FAQs

How Long Does It Take to Eliminate a Roach Infestation in Kitchen Cabinets?

Once cockroaches encounter the baits, gels, or insecticides, it can take them anywhere between a few hours and a couple of days to die. You will have to check the baits and gels to see when you need to set more.  

A large roach infestation might take a few weeks to a few months to kill all the cockroaches.

What Are Some Common Mistakes to Avoid When Trying to Get Rid of Cockroaches in Kitchen Cabinets?

Some common mistakes to avoid when trying to get rid of cockroaches include:

• Not cleaning up spills or leaks
• Using cracked containers
• Using loosely sealed containers
• Leaving food out on counters
• Leaving trash or used wrappers in or near the cabinets
• Not cleaning the cabinets frequently

How Do I Know If Insecticides Are Safe to Use in My Kitchen?

Insecticides should contain labels that confirm that you can use them indoors, how to use them, and what safety precautions to take. Make sure you follow the instructions on their label.

Can Cockroaches Cause Health Problems?

Cockroaches can certainly cause health problems since they carry bacteria and diseases with them. When roaches come into contact with human food and then you or someone else eats it, you can get sick. Getting a virus or disease from a roach may lead to issues like diarrhea, vomiting, cholera, dysentery, typhoid, and more.

What Can I Do to Prevent a Roach Infestation from Reoccurring in My Kitchen Cabinets?

You need to make sure you keep your cabinets and home clean from food or trash. Clean up spills immediately and make use of sealed containers or you will get roaches.