How Your Amazon Habit Might Be Contributing to a Cockroach Invasion
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Is there any bug more abhorred than the cockroach? Nothing is worse than hearing them skedaddling across the kitchen floor at night. Some can even fly. Shiver! It goes without saying we'll try anything to keep cockroaches out of our homes. That's why we were so intrigued (slash horrified) by a viral Instagram reel that suggested putting cups over sink and tub drains when you're out of town to stop roaches from getting into your house or apartment.
Aside from the ick factor, it's actually important to your health to keep roaches out. Cockroaches can spread at least 33 kinds of bacteria, including E. coli and Salmonella, according to the National Pest Management Association. They collect the germs on the spines of their legs as they skimper through sewage and trash, and then transfer the germs onto food and cooking surfaces.
We could go on, but suffice it to say cockroaches are among the most unwelcome house guests. Plus, they've been around for millions of years—outliving dinosaurs, even—so it goes without saying that these resilient critters are tough to get rid of for good when they do make it into your home.
"Cockroaches are primarily nocturnal, which means they are active at night when humans are less likely to notice them," explains Nicole Carpenter, CEO of Charlotte, North Carolina–based Black Pest. "This behavior can make it harder to detect an infestation until it's well established. Plus, cockroaches have developed resistance to many common pesticides over time, which makes eradication efforts more difficult."
So, when it comes to winning against cockroaches, the best offense is a solid defense. Here's how to keep cockroaches out of your home.
How Do Cockroaches Get in Your Home?
Cockroaches sneak into houses and apartments looking for food, water, and shelter, Carpenter says. They can enter through openings around doors, windows, and utility lines, and they can hitch a ride on packages or bags you bring in.
We apologize if this unlocks a new secondhand shopping fear, but these hardy bugs could make their way into your home via used appliances.
Dana Todd, of Chicago, says she once bought a used fridge that turned out to have roaches inside the wiring and electronics panel. "It was a week before I saw them, and by then they were already exploring other rooms," she says. "I freaked out so bad—I'm terrified of roaches—and had to pay for an exterminator to get it under control."
Unfortunately, cockroaches can be a problem no matter where you live. Roaches are prevalent if you live in a warmer, humid climate or close to wooded areas, says Mo Samir, a senior technician with Bugwise Pest Control, but they're also skilled at scavenging and are known to populate urban areas. So, really, they can pop up just about anywhere.
Areas that tend to be most prone to cockroach infestations include kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and areas with poor ventilation, she says.
How to Keep Cockroaches Out of Your House or Apartment
One of the best things homeowners and tenants can do to prevent cockroaches from entering is sealing cracks, says Laura Markwardt, a certified building biology environmental consultant with Home Biome. That cuts off their entry points.
Another tip? Don't lure them in with a water source that they can take advantage of, she says. "This means wiping up spills and keeping things dry, even in sinks," Markwardt says. "It also includes getting leaks fixed immediately." You might even want to set out your dog or cat's water bowl only at mealtime.
Factors that could make homes extra attractive to roaches are dirty dishes left in a sink, unsealed food containers, and crumbs on your floor in addition to the aforementioned water leaks, Samir says.
But one thing that a lot of people get wrong about roaches is that they’re only drawn to messy homes. While they're attracted to food and water, even super-tidy homes can become infested with shelter-seeking cockroaches if they can find a mode of entry, Samir explains.
Should You Put Cups Over Your Drains to Keep Out Cockroaches?
You may have seen the viral Instagram reel created by @meganutter and reshared by @newyorkers that we mentioned earlier about going away for a weekend and covering sink drains with glasses or vases. Could that be an effective strategy for keeping cockroaches out of your home while you're gone?
The short answer: Sort of, but it's not foolproof.
Cockroaches don't typically originate from sinks and pipes, but they are attracted to them as a water source, Markwardt explains. The reason why cockroaches like bathrooms and kitchens so much is due to the food and water sources available there, she says. So, in a way, you're limiting their access to moist drains by covering them. Cockroaches, though, are skilled climbers, according to experts, and they're good at finding all types of points of entry.
Some other ways to keep cockroaches from entering your home include making sure your garbage cans are sealed tightly and emptied often, regularly vacuuming under appliances and furniture to get rid of crumbs, and—we're sorry to bring this up, but—cockroach eggs. If you see any, get rid of them as soon as possible.
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