Getting Rid of Cockroaches Living in Kitchen Cabinets

Cockroaches can be a nightmare for any homeowner. Turn on the light in your kitchen at night and you might see several of these quick-moving insects scurrying for cover. Cockroaches love to hide in kitchen cabinets, where they can easily access food and water sources while staying hidden in the dark cracks and crevices.

If you have spotted cockroaches crawling inside your kitchen cabinets, immediate action is needed to get rid of them and prevent further infestations. Left untreated, cockroaches multiply rapidly and spread harmful bacteria around food preparation areas.

Understanding Why Cockroaches Infest Kitchen Cabinets

Cockroaches prefer warm, humid places with access to food and water. Kitchens provide ideal harborage for these pests for several reasons:

• Kitchen cabinets are warm and humid, especially around plumbing areas.
• Cockroaches can find plenty of food crumbs and spills inside cabinets.
• The dark enclosed spaces give cockroaches places to hide and breed.
• Cracks, crevices and gaps between cabinets and walls allow easy entry points.

The most common species that infests homes is the German cockroach. These small light brown roaches can squeeze into tiny cracks and quickly multiply inside kitchen cabinets. Other cockroach species such as American, Oriental or brown-banded roaches may also be found.

Dangers of Cockroaches in Kitchen Cabinets

Cockroaches pose several health and safety concerns when present in kitchen areas:

• They spread germs and bacteria picked up from sewers and garbage on their legs and bodies.
• Their droppings and shed skins contain allergens that can trigger asthma.
• Cockroaches eat and contaminate food stored in cabinets.
• Some people may experience skin rashes and allergic reactions from cockroaches.

Getting rid of cockroaches eliminates these risks and prevents their populations from rapidly growing inside your kitchen.

Preventing Cockroaches from Infesting Cabinets

Prevention is the first line of defense to keep cockroaches out of your kitchen cabinets. Try these proactive pest proofing tips:

• Seal any cracks, holes or gaps around plumbing, countertops, walls and ceilings.
• Install weather stripping around doors and windows to block entry points.
• Keep kitchen surfaces clean and wipe up spills immediately after cooking.
• Store food in airtight containers and avoid leaving dirty dishes out.
• Fix any water leaks or moisture sources cockroaches are attracted to.
• Use natural repellents like bay leaves, mint or cucumber peels inside cabinets.

Monitoring your kitchen regularly also helps catch an infestation in early stages before it spreads. Place sticky traps or pheromone traps in out-of-reach areas to monitor for activity.

How Cockroaches Enter Kitchens

Cockroaches can find their way into kitchen cabinets in various ways, including:

• Cracks along walls, floors or where cabinets meet the wall.
• Gaps around plumbing pipes under sinks or behind appliances.
• Small holes around baseboards, vents, windows and doors.
• Being carried in on grocery bags, packages or other items.
• Crawling through drains and pipes from infested areas.

Careful inspection and sealing of potential entry points shuts down pathways for cockroaches to access your kitchen.

Killing Cockroaches Already in Kitchen Cabinets

If you already have an infestation inside your cabinets, taking immediate action is vital. Here are effective methods to eliminate cockroaches:

Vacuuming

Start by thoroughly vacuuming inside cabinets to remove cockroaches, droppings, egg casings and other debris. Concentrate on corners, cracks and hard to reach areas. Empty the vacuum contents in a sealed bag afterwards.

Traps and Baits

Use cockroach bait stations and traps containing boric acid or hydramethylnon inside infested cabinets. These provide a lethal dose as cockroaches eat the bait over time. Place traps out of reach of children and pets.

Insecticide Dust and Sprays

Apply a light dusting of boric acid powder or diatomaceous earth in affected cabinets. These desiccant dusts dry out and kill cockroaches slowly. Avoid inhaling the dusts yourself. You can also use insecticide sprays formulated for indoor use.

Foggers and Fumigation

For severe infestations, use an insecticide fogger or fumigation bomb in the kitchen. Remove any food items and cover surfaces beforehand. Follow all safety precautions and ventilate thoroughly after use.

Natural Remedies to Kill Cockroaches

If you want to avoid harsh chemicals, try these natural home remedies that are effective against cockroaches:

• Diatomaceous Earth - The sharp edges cut and dehydrate cockroaches.
• Borax - This natural mineral acts as a slow-acting poison when ingested.
• Essential Oils - Oils like peppermint, tea tree and eucalyptus repel cockroaches.
• Baking Soda - Sprinkling baking soda dehydrates cockroaches.

You can make your own natural cockroach killer spray at home with essential oils, soap and water. Always spot test surfaces before wide application.

Getting Professional Pest Control

For severe cockroach infestations, your best solution is getting professional pest control. Experienced exterminators have the right tools and expertise to eliminate roaches and prevent their return.

A pest management professional can:

• Apply residual sprays in cracks and crevices to kill cockroaches for weeks.
• Use insect growth regulator products that stop nymphs from reaching adulthood.
• Perform fumigation using stronger fumigants not available to consumers.
• Conduct follow up treatments to kill newly hatched cockroaches.

Getting rid of all roaches takes patience and persistence. An exterminator will keep applying treatments until the infestation is completely eliminated.

Heat Treatments

Some pest control firms offer heat treatments, where they use specialized heating equipment to raise temperatures above 120degF inside your home. This overheats and kills cockroaches and eggs hidden in cabinets and walls.

Preventing Future Infestations

It's just as important to pest proof your kitchen after treatments to avoid cockroaches from invading again. Recommended tips include:

• Seal up all crevices and gaps with caulk.
• Install door sweeps and screens over vents.
• Fix any plumbing or water leaks cockroaches are attracted to.
• Keep kitchen surfaces clean and decluttered.
• Store food properly in containers.
• Continue using boric acid powder in out of reach areas.

Monitor your kitchen weekly and look for signs of cockroach activity. Catching an infestation right away makes it far easier to eliminate.