Where Do Roaches Come from in Apartments

Roaches, or cockroaches, are resilient pests that can invade various types of environments, including apartments. Here’s how and why they might appear in an apartment:

  1. From Neighboring Apartments: Roaches can travel between units in a multi-unit building. If a neighbor has an infestation, the roaches can crawl through small spaces, cracks, or plumbing to reach your apartment.
  2. Hitching a Ride: Roaches can come into your home by hitching a ride on used furniture, boxes, grocery bags, or other items that have been in infested areas.
  3. Food and Water Sources: Cockroaches are attracted to food, so improperly stored food can attract them. Water sources like leaky pipes or damp areas can also be attractive.
  4. Through Gaps and Cracks: Roaches can enter an apartment through small cracks in the walls, gaps around windows and doors, or through plumbing and electrical conduits.
  5. Garbage and Decomposing Matter: If garbage or other organic matter isn’t properly disposed of, it can attract roaches. This includes garbage bins within the apartment or dumpsters in close proximity.
  6. Building Foundations: Sometimes, roaches live in the soil and foundations of buildings. They can easily make their way into apartments from these areas.
  7. Shared Laundry Rooms or Common Areas: Shared spaces in apartment complexes might occasionally be infested with roaches. Once roaches are in these areas, they can enter individual units.
  8. From the Sewer System: Some species, like the American cockroach, are known to come up from sewers and drains.

Where Do Roaches Hide?

Cockroaches are nocturnal insects that prefer to stay hidden in dark, moist places during the day and come out to feed at night. They’re notoriously resilient and are drawn to areas that provide them with food, water, and shelter. Some common hiding places for roaches include:

  1. Under Sinks: The cabinet space under sinks is often damp and dark, providing an ideal environment for roaches.
  2. Behind Refrigerators: The space behind and beneath the refrigerator can be warm and may accumulate food crumbs, making it an attractive place for these pests.
  3. Under Stoves: Food particles often fall beside and beneath stoves, which can attract roaches.
  4. Inside Cabinets: Particularly in those cabinets where food is stored, or there are spills.
  5. Behind Wall Outlets: Roaches can slip behind the faceplates of wall outlets and hide within the walls.
  6. Cracks and Crevices: Roaches can squeeze into surprisingly small cracks in walls, baseboards, and the spaces between tiles.
  7. Beneath Floor Drains: They can often be found in the moist environment of a floor drain in bathrooms or basements.
  8. Behind and Under Furniture: Especially in areas where food or moisture is accessible.
  9. Inside Appliances: Such as microwaves, toasters, ovens, and even clock radios.
  10. Underneath Mats and Rugs: Especially in bathrooms or other moist places.
  11. Inside Cardboard Boxes: They provide both shelter and, in some cases, food (from the glue) for roaches.
  12. Wall Voids: Hollow spaces within walls can offer them shelter.
  13. Bathrooms: Given that they are often damp, bathrooms can be attractive to roaches, especially under sinks, behind toilets, and beneath bathtubs.
  14. Basements and Crawl Spaces: These areas are typically darker and more humid, making them attractive hiding spots.

How To Stop Cockroaches Coming Into House

To prevent cockroaches from entering your home, you must take a comprehensive approach that includes sanitation, exclusion, and monitoring. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you:

Maintain Cleanliness:

    • Kitchen: Clean dishes immediately after meals, wipe down counters, stove tops, and other surfaces nightly. Ensure no food particles or spills are left behind.
    • Food Storage: Store food, including pet food, in sealed containers.
    • Garbage: Take out the trash regularly and use a garbage can with a tight-fitting lid.
    • Declutter: Roaches love hiding in cardboard, newspapers, and other clutter. Regularly declutter and avoid letting materials like this accumulate.

Fix Leaks and Eliminate Standing Water:

    • Cockroaches are attracted to moisture, so fixing any leaky faucets or pipes is essential.
    • Make sure there’s no standing water in trays under houseplants or refrigerators.

Seal Entry Points:

    • Use caulk to seal cracks and crevices in walls, tiles, moldings, and where utility pipes enter the house.
    • Ensure that windows and doors close tightly. Install door sweeps or thresholds at the base of all exterior entry doors. For sliding doors, make sure they sit tightly in their tracks.
    • Ensure that your home’s foundation, attic, and roof are well-sealed.

Manage Your Home’s Exterior:

    • Remove debris and stacks of wood or other materials near your home’s foundation.
    • Ensure trash cans outside are sealed and clean.
    • Trim plants and shrubs around the house’s foundation to prevent them from touching the building.

Monitor with Glue Traps:

    • Place glue traps in areas where you suspect roach activity. They can help you identify problem areas and gauge the severity of an infestation.

Use Baits and Pesticides Judiciously:

    • Gel baits and bait stations can be effective against roaches. Please place them in areas of suspected activity.
    • If you opt for sprays or other insecticides, always use them as directed and be cautious, especially if you have children or pets.

Diatomaceous Earth: This is a natural insect killer and can be sprinkled in areas where roaches are known to frequent. It works by damaging the waxy outer layer of cockroaches, causing them to dehydrate and die. Make sure to use food-grade diatomaceous earth.

Regular Inspections:

    • Periodically inspect hidden areas (like under sinks, storage areas, and behind refrigerators) for signs of roach activity.

Ventilation:

    • Ensure areas like bathrooms and basements are well-ventilated to reduce humidity and moisture, making them less attractive to cockroaches.

Consult a Professional:

  • If your efforts aren’t reducing the cockroach population, or if you have a significant infestation, it might be time to consult a professional pest control service. They can provide more potent treatments and advise on specific strategies tailored to your situation.

By diligently following these steps and remaining vigilant, you can significantly reduce the chances of cockroaches entering and thriving in your home.

Scroll to Top