What Attracts Cockroaches?

What attracts cockroaches? There is sadly no easy answer to that question. It is actually somewhat easier asking yourself what doesn’t attract cockroaches, and there might be a few things. But the list of what draws them in is sadly rather long. The three most common things cockroaches seek are food, water and shelter much like humans. That makes a home an ideal location for them as there is all three.

With that being said you should take it upon yourself to make sure your kitchen and bathroom are clean and taken care of regularly. Standing water, moisture and food sources are some of the usual suspects in relation to a roach problem. Year round these pests find a way to slip through the cracks, even if you have checked around your home.

Below you will find some tips that should keep your property pest free. When asking yourself what attracts cockroaches? Remember consistency is key to preventing roaches especially in your home

What will attract them the most?

1.) Food

An area that has lots of food in will be an easy pick for a cockroach, we all like an easy meal. So make sure you avoid leaving dirty dishes in the sink and don’t leave pet food out on the floor. If you do have food out make sure it is stored in a cardboard boxes or plastic containers.

2.) Water and Humidity

While cockroaches can go for very long periods of time without food, the same can not be said for water intake, they can’t live very long without water, and some need water more than others. When cockroaches are able to find a source of water in your home, it’s a sign that conditions inside may support them. So make sure you don’t have any leaky taps!

3.) Warmth

Warmth can attract cockroaches too. Many species are sensitive to cold and seek out warmth when outdoor temperatures begin to get below freezing. When winter comes or a sudden cold spell hits, they’ll likely try find refuge and the warmth in your home and won’t want to leave any time soon.

4.) Light

This one may surprise you but much like moths and certain other insects, a few cockroaches are attracted to night time artificial lights, (you should note this is only a small amount of cockroaches). The male Pennsylvania wood cockroach for example is easily the best known of these and is a major pain for rural home owners during mating season in the early summer.

How to avoid attracting cockroaches

One of the best ways to get rid of a a cockroach infestation from entering your house or homes is to seal gaps around your windows and doors as well as cracks and crevices and to fix leaky pipes. So if you suspect roaches are near, check for what may have attracted them to your home and how they may have entered.

Pest control is sometimes the best and only answer for roach infestation that has got out of hand. Therefore it is important that you reach out to specialists if you do not have the correct equipment to handle the situation by yourself. In some cases situations can get worse!

FAQ

Why do I have roaches in my clean house?

Cockroaches, and specifically German cockroaches, are often linked to dirty and unsanitary places, which can be true to an extent. But we can all fall victim to pests even if you’re an excellent housekeeper.

So why are you suddenly seeing roaches in your house? When thinking about what causes roaches in a clean house, you probably first land on the areas you would expect, such as kitchen counters, dining room floors and so on.

And it’s true that you do need to keep these places tidy and free of crumbs or food residue, as little daily messes such as those are part of what attracts roaches to a location. But roaches are also looking for shelter and water.

That means they’ll creep in through cracks in the exterior of your home, dryer vents and even gaps in between your wall and floor. Walk the perimeter of your property and seal these up to eliminate cockroach entry points. While you’re at it, repair any leaky spigots or sinks and unclog rain gutters to cut off water sources for the insects, including cockroaches.

What do cockroaches hate?

Essential oils give off potent, often pleasant, scents that many people diffuse to relax themselves after a long day. Some of these strong fragrances seem to work well against cockroaches also. Sometimes a natural approach to pest control is the best choice, and that is certainly true with cockroaches.

These common pests choose their targets carefully, so do what you can to make your property the least attractive choice. Sometimes a natural approach to pest control is a great choice, and that is certainly the case with cockroaches.

These common pests choose their targets carefully, so do what you can to make your home the least attractive option they have.

Eucalyptus is also not a favourite of the cockroach so if possible try use the eucalyptus scent to your advantage in a few different ways, from diluting the oil with water and spraying it as somewhat of a barrier around your home or perhaps plant it in your front yard and garden.

Do cardboard boxes attract roaches?

Cardboard offers food and shelter for roaches. The insects can digest the fibres of the organic material, and they can hide in the cover of a stack of boxes.

Wet cardboard is even better. It creates a scent that cockroaches love, and it keeps them hydrated and healthy. Not only is it a food source, it’s a source of moisture. Rotting cardboard is already in the process of decay, which makes it easy for roaches to consume and digest.

The smell of wet cardboard is to a roach what driving by a barbecue is to a lot of humans.

In conclusion, make sure that you give yourself a fighting chance to get rid of roaches by following the above steps and remember to call pest control if you are dealing with a roach infestation as it will be the best way to prevent future issues.

Let us help keep you safe, call us for your pest removal needs today – phone 1300 766 614