7 things that attracts roaches the most (what attracts roaches the most)

One of the vital parts of preventing an infestation of cockroaches in the home is to know what attracts them in the first place.

Roaches are drawn indoors normally by choice rather than by accident. Meaning understanding what attracts roaches the most into your home and acting to eliminate those attractions can help prevent infestation and you needing to resort to potentially toxic pesticide chemicals just to control the infestation.

Indeed, cockroaches are not just unattractive, but they are also a health concern to people. This is because they are known to carry diseases and can cause allergic reactions. So knowing what attracts roaches the most into your home is important for the health of you and your family.

Note that cockroaches are extremely resilient pests, and once they invade your home, it can be difficult to eliminate them. One of the biggest attractant for cockroaches is food. It can be human food, bird feed, pet food, and even cardboard. So making sure that these items are tightly sealed in your home is imperative in keeping the roaches out.

What To Know About Roaches

Please note that because your food storage areas look clean doesn’t necessarily mean that your home is out of roaches. This is because they can survive for 3 months without eating. However, they are looking for a damp, dark, and wet places to hide. Roaches most times take up occupancy in items such as boxes, shelves, and books just to protect themselves from human dangers. And many of these items can be found in garages, your basements, or other areas of your home that are not normally inhabited.

So keeping a clean house is vital to ensuring a cockroach and pest-free home. Try wiping down your counter, sweep, and mop regularly so that roaches won’t be attracted to your home.

Here are 7 things that attracts roaches the most in your home

1. Keeping Dirty Dishes In The Sink

Roaches, just like every other pests, are attracted to any source of food, and keeping your dirty dishes in the sink is like an easy meal ticket given to them. I know sometimes it might be tempting to leave dishes in the sink, but it may be worth the time rinsing the dishes immediately, and eliminate food debris for roaches to feed on.

2. Opening Food Containers 

Remember that cupboards or pantries that you stock cereals, crackers, and other dry food products are good places for cockroaches to look for food. So if you do this sometimes, you might want to start storing your food items in tightly sealed plastic or glass containers because cockroaches can still chew through cardboard, paper, and thin plastic. Here are 3 things to do:

JUST ELIMINATE

Note that what attracts roaches the most is food. This is because cockroaches need food to survive. So eliminating them from accessing food can help to prevent roaches problem.

JUST CLEAN

Ensure that before bed each night, you wipe the surface of all food preparatory areas and remove any crumbs you find on the floor. This is because cleaning is important. So ensure to clean under appliances and wipe down the counter. Also ensure to clean underneath and behind the refrigerator, your stove, and check the drawers for leftover food debris.

JUST STORE

Whenever you are storing food, be sure to use airtight containers. Even your pet food should also be stored in airtight containers and put in a cabinet or pantry. Also, eliminate cardboard boxes whenever possible. Ensure to examine the seals of your refrigerator and freezer to make sure the food stored inside is protected.

3. Your Water Pipes

Note that it’s not just food that roaches are after. They also need water to survive and they will get it anywhere they can find it. If you have a leaky faucet, it can provide a colony with the water security they need, and making it the perfect place to nest.

4. A Warm Home

Note that roaches love hot and humid conditions, and with climate change, they surely increase around the warmer months of the year. So when you regulate the temperature of your air conditioner or dehumidifiers, you prevent cockroaches from moving into your home.

5. A Strong Odors

Cockroaches love odors, they see it as an open invitation to a free buffet. Your unsealed bowl of sugar and sweet cereal will always seduce their senses. It’s impossible to stop all household odors, but minimizing them as much as possible will help.

6. Paper Products

Even when you don’t have open food, paper and cardboard offer the perfect refuge for roaches. This is because what attracts roaches the most is also paper products. So ensure you clear away any old newspapers and cardboard cartons that could become a hiding place for them to flourish.

7. Food Snack Spills And Crumbs

Note that any food snack that is left out in your home will increase the chances of cockroach attraction. So ensure to keep it tidy by cleaning up spilled snacks, dropped crumbs, and other messes as soon as possible after eating.

HERE ARE PREVENTIVE MEASURE FOR COCKROACHES

Since you have known what attracts roaches the most, you need to know the methods used to ward off roaches.

1. Old Newspapers & Cardboard Boxes

Cockroaches adore cardboard boxes and newspapers. So if these items are kept around your home, you are inviting roaches into your home. This is because roaches love to breed in these items, ensure to clear all newspapers and cardboard boxes out from your home.

2. Be Free From Clutter

What attracts roaches the most is clutters, and one of the best strategies for roach control is to ensure your home is kept in tip-top shape, especially when it comes to items lying around. Keeping your house free of clutter simply means there are fewer places for roaches to hide during the day. And with no covering place, these bugs will find it harder to hide their presence.

3. Fix your Plumbing Issues

Just as I said before, moisture is a huge attractant for roaches, just like humans, they also need water to survive. Most times you may have leaks or water problems that attract roaches and you won’t even notice. But once you notice any leaks or plumbing issues, get them fixed immediately. Remember that it is good to regularly inspect the faucets, refrigerators, sinks, and appliances in your home to ensure they aren’t leaking or producing excessive moisture.

4. Ensure To Seal Cracks & Install Door Sweeps

Remember that roaches gain entry to homes by crawling in under doors and the cracks in your home’s foundation. Sometimes you may not even observe the easy access given to them, contacting a professional can help identify these entry points for you. Entry point includes:

1. Your windows and doors
2. House foundation or roof
3. The holes used for electric, gas, and plumbing lines

So we recommend examining these problem areas at least once every year and once you notice cracks and holes, ensure you seal them. Note that you can use caulk to seal small ones. But for bigger openings around your chimneys or attic vents, and also, you can use a fine wire mesh to create a barrier.

Here is how to make Killer Cockroach Bait

Below is an easy recipe to make a killer cockroach bait:

The Ingredients

• 2 tbsp solid vegetable shortening or lard
• 1/2 small onion, finely diced.
• 1 tsp sugar
• 2 tbsp boric acid powder

The Directions to take

1. Just dice 1/2 a small onion which is about 3 Tbsp and place into a small mixing bowl.
2. Now add shortening or lard, then sugar, and boric acid to the bowl with the onions.
3. Then use a metal fork, now mix the ingredients together very well.
4. Now use a metal spoon to scoop up about 1/2 to 1 tsp. of the mixture, then place on an old jar lid or a small dish. Note that you should be able to get 4 or 5 of the bait dishes from a single batch of this recipe.
5. Now place a bait dish in an area where you regularly see cockroaches. Just ensure it is well out of reach of children and pets. You can put it inside cupboards, tucked in a faraway corner, in your kitchen, bathroom, and garage.
6. Try to replenish the bait dishes at least monthly.

Also try to sprinkle a little of this around your door, behind your stove and fridge, also behind the couch, etc. This bait will keep working as long as it’s dry and doesn’t get damp or vacuumed. This is the best solution for getting rid of the roaches. This is because they hate the stuff, and it will kill an entire colony, meaning if it get on them, they will transfer it to the others.