No one likes having cockroaches in their kitchen. I’ve gotten myself in the same situation before, so I know how it feels. It made no difference how clean my kitchen was or how many sprays I used; those little pests kept coming back. It was stressful, and it felt like my efforts weren’t good enough.
For months, I tried numerous ways until, finally something worked. For years now, my kitchen has been cockroach-free. The good news is that you, too, can do it!
I will use this guide and share some simple steps that I followed to get rid of cockroaches permanently. Whether you’re dealing with a few roaches or an actual infestation, these tips are easy to follow and actually work. So, let’s get started and take back your kitchen!
Kitchens are a favorite place for cockroaches because they provide everything these pests need to survive, including food, water, and dark places to hide. I found out the hard way when I heard them scurrying out from behind my fridge at night.
I thought keeping the countertops clean was all I needed to do at first, but it wasn’t. Even a tiny leak or a tiny bit of a crumb can turn into a perfect place for cockroaches to live in.
Food and Water
Scavengers and cockroaches will seek you out, even a small spill or a grease spot. I remember cleaning my stove, thinking, ‘How did I miss those crumbs?’ and then discovering they were in the corners. They also thrive in damp dishcloths or leaks under the sink.
Warm, Dark Hiding Spots
They love to hide in places you don’t typically think to clean, like behind your appliances or inside cabinets. For instance, once, I found a nest behind my fridge because I hadn’t moved it to clean in months.
Clutter and Neglect
Neglected areas are ideal for cockroaches to thrive in. The forgotten crumbs in that drawer or the unsealed snack bag in your pantry? It’s a buffet for them. After discovering a stash of crumbs behind my spice rack that had been sitting there for weeks, I learned this.
For more information on their impact and management, check out the CDC’s guide on cockroach control and Purdue Entomology’s tips.
Step 1: Deep Cleaning
 Cockroaches thrive in hidden corners, and cleaning needs to be more than a surface-level task. I was pulling out my stove and seeing how much grease and crumbs were behind it. After that, I made it a habit to clean:
Behind appliances like fridge and stove.
Scrubbing inside cabinets and shelves, every corner.
They can also accumulate food debris and drains.
Trash bins, making sure they’re emptied daily and have tight-fitting lids.
Step 2: Seal the Gaps
Cockroaches are sneaky and can get in through the tiniest cracks. I caulked gaps in walls, baseboards, and around pipes. I installed weather stripping on my doors and added traps to floor drains. This was a crucial part of blocking their main entry point.
Step 3: Set Traps
I placed traps to monitor and control the population. Placing bait traps near hot spots under the sink and right next to the trash can. I also used sticky traps to figure out where the roaches were the most active so I could concentrate there.
Step 4: Eliminate Water Sources
They’re like a magnet for leaks and damp areas. I had ignored a small pipe leak under my sink for too long and fixed it. After that, I made it a habit to:
Wipe countertops and floors dry after cleaning.
Empty my dish rack every night.
Keep sinks completely dry before going to bed.
The key was to combine these steps. It was deep cleaning that gave me a fresh start, sealing gaps so they didn’t return and setting traps so that I was one step ahead of any stragglers. Removing their last source of comfort was fixing leaks and keeping the kitchen dry.
Natural Remedies vs. Chemical Solutions: Which Is Right for You?
When it comes to getting rid of cockroaches, there are two main options: chemical solutions and natural remedies. I’ve used both of them, and they both have their pros and cons, depending on the severity of the infestation and your flavor. I will show you what worked for me, and hopefully, it will also work for you.
Natural Remedies
If you don’t want to use harsh chemicals, natural remedies are a great choice, even if you have kids or pets around. Here are some that I’ve tried:
Diatomaceous Earth (DE)
I sprayed food-grade DE in cracks and crevices where cockroaches were active. It takes some time, but it’s highly effective; it works by dehydrating them. Just make sure to reapply after cleaning or if it gets wet. Read our complete guide on how diatomaceous earth kills cockroaches.
Baking Soda and Sugar
The game changer was mixing baking soda and sugar as bait. The sugar attracts the cockroaches, and the baking soda kills them. I put this mixture in bottle caps and left them under the sinks and by the trash bins. Read more about baking soda and sugar for cockroaches.
Essential Oils
An essential oil spray mixed with water I used to spray crack and entry points. It keeps your kitchen smelling fresh and repels cockroaches. However, it’s not a long-term solution, but it does a brilliant job of keeping them away temporarily.
Chemical Solutions
Chemical solutions can be used if the infestation is severe. Here’s what I used when natural remedies weren’t enough:
Bait Gels
For large infestations, bait gels were my go-to in most situations. Cockroaches not only carry the poison to the colony but wipe out more than just what you see. I applied it to the areas in which they were most active — under the sink and behind the stove.
Insecticide Sprays
Sprays are good for killing them on contact, but they are only a temporary fix. I used them sparingly and put them away from where food was being prepared, so I didn’t contaminate it.
Which Should You Choose?
It depends on your situation:
Natural remedies are safe and effective for minor infestations or prevention.
In the case of a larger infestation, chemical solutions or the help of professionals might be needed.
Read the product labels carefully and always give safety a preference over pets or children.
When to Call a Professional Exterminator
The cockroaches just keep coming back sometimes, no matter how many DIY solutions you try. This is when it is time to call a professional exterminator.
I was able to deal with a small infestation on my own, but once the problem got out of hand, I called in an expert. Here’s how you can tell it’s time to call in the professionals.
Signs You Need Professional Help
Seeing Cockroaches During the Day
If you happen to find cockroaches during the daytime, then it is a very optimistic indication of a bad infestation. It was a cruel wake-up call when I began noticing them crawling on the counters during the day.
Frequent Sightings of Egg Cases and Droppings
As I started seeing tiny egg cases (oothecae) plus black pepper-looking droppings in drawers and corners, I realized the infestation had spread more than I knew. If you are seeing any of these signs, too, it’s a sure sign that cockroaches are multiplying in your home.
DIY Methods Aren’t Working
If the same cockroaches still return even after you’ve tossed, set traps, and sealed holes, then your infestation might be so large or so deeply rooted that DIY solutions won’t work.
What Professional Exterminators Offer
Thorough Inspection
There are professionals who can find the hidden nests and entrances you never even knew existed.
Advanced Treatments
They employ powerful but safe chemicals and techniques that specifically target both visible cockroaches and their eggs as well as colonies.
Long-Term Solutions
Most exterminators provide follow-up treatments to ensure that the problem doesn’t come back.
I called an exterminator who found nests behind walls and in the hollow spaces of my cabinets, places I never would’ve looked. Not only did their expertise clear the infestation, but their tips also enabled me to prevent future problems.
When It’s Worth the Investment
Hiring an exterminator might feel like an extra expense, but it’s worth it if:
You’ve got a big infestation that’s moving quickly.
Efforts to adapt and use DIY methods have repeatedly failed.
Constant sightings are causing you to lose peace of mind.
10 Habits to Keep Cockroaches Out of Your Kitchen
After getting rid of cockroaches from your kitchen, the challenge is really trying to maintain that cockroach-free status. I learned that prevention is the best point; it’s about creating an environment for the cockroaches not to survive.
Here are 10 things I have done to keep my kitchen cockroach-free for good.
Store Food in Airtight Containers
 Cockroaches can detect open food, even if it’s just the tiniest crumbs. I switched to using airtight containers for everything from flour to snacks and even for pet food. One of their main attractions fell away with this simple habit.
Clean Up Spills and Crumbs Immediately
Cockroaches can feast on even the tiniest crumbs. Now, after every meal, I wipe down the countertops and sweep the floor.
Fix Leaks Promptly
Just like food, cockroaches need water. After fixing a leaky pipe in my kitchen sink, I learned the significance of a dry kitchen. If you have a dripping faucet or pipes, fix it right away.
Take Out the Trash Daily
Trash left overnight is an invite for pests. I began using trash bags with drawstring closures and a tight-fitting lid for a bin to contain odors.
Declutter Cabinets and Drawers
Cockroaches like to hide among cluttered spaces. I decluttered my cabinets and checked my cabinets regularly for crumbs or spills. This helps in spotting the problems.
Seal Cracks and Gaps
I sealed every crack I could find in the walls, floors, and even behind appliances. This step blocked their entry points, and it prevented them from sneaking into my kitchen.
Avoid Leaving Pet Food Out Overnight
Cockroaches may be attracted to your pets’ food bowls if you have pets. To get rid of spills, I began picking up the bowls after my pet finished eating and cleaned up the area.
Wipe Down Appliances Regularly
The grease or food residue present on your appliances, like stoves and microwaves, greatly deter you from using them. Now, I wipe them down weekly to clean all traces of food that may attract pests.
Use Drain Covers
Cockroaches can enter through drains. To prevent access, I installed drain covers and cleaned them regularly.
Keep Doors and Windows Sealed
Cockroaches can come in at night through small gaps. I installed weather-stripping and checked the windows and doors that were closed tightly. It also helps to add mesh screens.
Common Mistakes People Make When Fighting Cockroaches
If you have cockroaches, many people struggle to get rid of them because of common mistakes that make the infestation worse or allow the pests to return. These errors can waste your time and effort and give you something less than you expected.
Only Targeting Visible Cockroaches
The most common mistake is to only look for the cockroaches you can see. The real problem is hidden ones in nooks and crannies and those that hide in the dark.
Fix: To kill the entire infestation, baits, and traps can be used to treat hidden areas like inside cabinets, behind appliances, and along baseboards.
Using Sprays as a Quick Fix
Often, a quick fix is insecticide spray, although it doesn’t kill cockroaches for long. It is a quick fix—cockroaches are killed only by an insecticide spray on contact. They won’t target eggs or colonies and can push cockroaches deeper into hiding.
Fix: Get bait gels and traps that attack the entire colony and offer lasting control.
Ignoring Crumbs and Spills
Cockroaches even eat anything with small crumbs or unintentional spills. This oversight allows for their existence even within seemingly clean spaces.
Fix: Remove all food sources, including under appliances inside cabinets, and thoroughly clean.
Not Fixing Water Leaks
Cockroaches require water to live; even a tiny bit of water will keep them alive. This makes your home an ideal environment for them if you ignore it.
Fix: Repair any leaks quickly and keep surfaces dry, particularly at night.
Skipping Prevention Steps
People stop things when the infestation seems under control, but without prevention, cockroaches can easily reappear.
Fix: To prevent them from returning regularly, clean, seal entry points, and store food properly.
Take Action Today: A Pest-Free Kitchen Awaits
You now have all the tools and knowledge to eliminate cockroaches from your kitchen for good. From deep cleaning to setting traps and sealing entry points, you get a step closer to a home that is clean and pest-free.
You should not leave cockroaches in charge of your mind and your kitchen. So start by cleaning behind your appliances, seal those tiny cracks, and lay traps in high activity zones today. These small but powerful steps will yield lasting results.
FAQ SECTION
Do cockroach traps work?
Yes, bait traps are great. Cockroaches take the bait back to their nests, killing more of them. Sticky traps help you see where they’re most active.
How do I know they’re all gone?
If you stop seeing cockroaches, their droppings, or egg cases for a few weeks, you’ve likely cleared the infestation. Keep monitoring to be sure.
How do I get rid of cockroaches in cabinets?
Empty and clean the cabinets with warm water and vinegar. Use bait or natural remedies like baking soda and seal any cracks you find.
How do I keep small cockroaches out?
Store food in airtight containers, clean up spills and crumbs, fix leaks, and seal cracks around walls and baseboards.