Where do Roaches Usually Hide?

When you spot a cockroach from the corner of your eye, it might scurry away faster than you can catch it. You watch it dash off into a dark corner of your kitchen, disappearing into the shadows. Unfortunately, cockroaches aren’t exactly out-of-sight, out-of-mind. Once you see a roach, there many likely hiding somewhere in your home. But where do cockroaches usually hide?

Luckily for you, Drive-Bye Exterminators is the pro in the game of cockroach hide and seek. They can run, but they can’t hide–at least for long. When we are getting rid of cockroach infestations, here are the places where they tend to hide.

Cockroaches Creep Around Kitchen Cabinets and Appliances

Your seemingly innocent refrigerator or stove might be home to a cockroach infestation. That’s because one of the primary hiding spots for cockroaches is in the kitchen, particularly within cabinets and behind appliances. Gross, right? 

But why do cockroaches like to hide here? Drawn to food scraps and moisture, these pests find the kitchen an ideal environment. Cabinets, especially those rarely opened or cluttered, provide a dark, undisturbed space for them to reside. Roaches don’t want you to see them, and they love the comfort of dark cabinets. 

Not only do roaches like the hiding spaces, but they also enjoy all the free food you leaven behind. That crumb from your morning muffin makes a feast for a lone cockroach. 

And the warmth and food residues found behind refrigerators, ovens, and dishwashers offer perfect hideouts. 

How to Keep Cockroaches Out of Your Kitchen

Where do cockroaches usually hide? The kitchen is a favorite hideout amongst these pests. So, how do you keep cockroaches out of your kitchen?

• Clean spills immediately
• Store food in airtight containers
• Empty trash regularly
• Avoid leaving dirty dishes on the county
• Use cockroach baits/traps
• Fix leaky faucets/pipes, which they use as a source of water 
• Keep counters and floors clean–even crumbs can coax the cockroaches out of hiding
• Declutter storage areas in your kitchen, including cabinets that you don’t use frequently
• Regularly inspect appliances for roaches
• Limit cardboard box use, as roaches like to hide in them
• Schedule professional pest control (Drive-Bye Exterminators can help!)

Roaches Lurk Around Bathroom Drains and Plumbing

Roaches in the kitchen are gross enough. But another spot they love to spend time in is the bathroom. Who wants to think about a bar of soap that’s crawling with cockroaches?

But the truth is that bathrooms are another common hiding spot due to the constant moisture present. Cockroaches often lurk in drains, sink overflow spaces, and under the sink where plumbing is accessible. 

Not to mention, they can squeeze through tiny gaps around pipes, making these areas a prime target for infestation. 

The Key to Keeping Cockroaches Out of Your Bathroom

Worried about roaches running wild in your bathroom? Here are a few ideas to keep your bathroom roach-free:

• Seal cracks and crevices
• Fix water leaks promptly
• Clean drains regularly
• Use dehumidifiers if necessary
• Store toiletries properly
• Keep floors and surfaces dry
• Empty trash bins regularly
• Clean bathroom fixtures often
• Avoid leaving damp towels
• Regularly inspect pipes
• Use roach deterrent sprays
• Maintain general cleanliness

Find Cockroaches in Furniture and Upholstery

Have you ever sat down on a sofa, only to be greeted by a cockroach? Cockroaches can also take refuge in furniture and upholstery, particularly in crevices of sofas, chairs, and beds. Yes, cockroaches will hide in your bed!

These areas provide the darkness and warmth they prefer, and the proximity to food crumbs is yet another attraction. While you Netflix and snack, your couch cockroach is enjoying the view, too. 

How to Keep Roaches out of Furniture and Upholstery

There’s no need to live with roaches in your furniture or upholstery. Be sure to address the following for keeping roaches away from these areas:

• Vacuum furniture regularly
• Clean spills on upholstery immediately
• Repair rips or tears in the furniture 
• Use roach traps near furniture
• Avoid eating on couches/chairs
• Regularly wash throw pillows/covers

Wall Cracks and Electrical Outlets

Think you hear cockroaches in the walls? You might be right. Cockroaches are adept at infesting small spaces and can often be found in cracks in walls, behind wallpaper, and even inside electrical outlets. 

These locations offer them a safe haven from predators and human activity. Sealing cracks and crevices in walls and around outlets can significantly reduce their ability to hide and breed in these areas.

Tips to Keeping Cockroaches Out of Wall Cracks and Electrical Outlets

The thought of cockroaches crawling around inside your walls feels unsettling. The good news is that there are ways to keep them at bay, including:

• Seal cracks and holes
• Use insecticide in wall voids
• Install outlet sealers
• Regularly inspect for new cracks
• Keep home dry and ventilated
• Use boric acid in wall cracks

Where do Roaches Usually Hide? Behind Clutter and Storage Areas

Do you have clutter in your home? Unfortunately, clutter and storage can serve as a refuge for roaches.

Cluttered spaces and storage areas, such as basements, attics, and garages, are ideal for cockroach hideouts. Boxes, old newspapers, and rarely disturbed items provide excellent cover for these pests. Keeping these areas organized and free of clutter can limit their hiding options, making your home less hospitable to these unwelcome guests.

If you want to keep roaches out of your clutter, the best thing to do is to get rid of things. Here are some steps to achieve this:

• Regular Decluttering: Periodically go through your belongings and remove items that are no longer needed or used. This reduces the number of hiding spots for roaches. Check out this blog to learn the 30 best decluttering tips of all time. 
• Proper Storage Solutions: Invest in closed storage solutions like sealed bins or containers. This prevents roaches from accessing stored items, especially in areas like basements or attics.
• Frequent Cleaning: Regular cleaning of storage areas can disturb any potential roach habitats, making it less appealing for them to settle.
• Dispose of Cardboard Boxes: Roaches are attracted to cardboard as a hiding place. Replace cardboard storage with plastic containers.
• Organize and Keep Areas Tidy: A well-organized space leaves fewer places for roaches to hide. This includes neatly stacking items and avoiding piles of belongings.
• Regular Inspections: Regularly inspect clutter-prone areas for signs of roach activity and address any issues immediately.

Do You Have a Roach Problem? Call us at Drive-Bye Exterminators 

Serving the Clearwater area for 20 years, Drive-Bye knows where the roaches like to hide. Drive-Bye Exterminators is your top-rated, award-winning pest control service provider, serving thousands of homes and businesses in our communities. Please reach out to us if you are having problems with a cockroach infestation.