How to Get Rid of Roaches in the Kitchen

Your kitchen is for gathering with family and friends, not roaches! If you've spotted them in your kitchen, you're not alone. Kitchens are one of the most common places to find these pests because they offer everything roaches need to survive: food, water, and warm hiding spots.

The good news is that getting rid of cockroaches in your kitchen is possible with the right approach. Let’s talk about how to get rid of roaches in the kitchen so you can reclaim one of the most important areas in your home with confidence!

What Attracts Roaches to the Kitchen?

If you’ve noticed tiny roaches in your kitchen, it’s probably because you have one of the three essentials they need for survival.

• Food: Even the tiniest crumbs on your counter or floor can feed a hungry roach. They aren’t picky eaters and will munch on anything from leftover pizza to pet food, grease splatters, and even the gunk stuck to dirty dishes.
• Water: Roaches can survive for a while without food, but still need water regularly. Leaky pipes under your sink, dripping faucets, or even condensation on your appliances create the perfect place for them to get what they need.
• Warmth: They also need warm hiding spots. From cracks behind appliances to inside cabinets, your kitchen has plenty of those! 

Signs of Roaches in the Kitchen (And Where to Look First)

Catching a roach infestation in your kitchen early makes getting rid of them easier. Let’s talk about some signs that you might have cockroaches in the kitchen.

Flipping on a light at night and seeing them scattering is probably the most obvious sign that you need help getting rid of roaches in the kitchen. Cockroaches are nocturnal, so they come out when it's dark to search for food. 

Roach droppings are another clear indicator. These look like black pepper or coffee grounds scattered around your kitchen.

You might also find egg cases, which look like small brown capsules about the size of a dried bean. Female roaches hide these in protected spots like cracks, corners, and behind stored items.

Pay attention to odd smells, too. A large roach infestation in your kitchen creates a musty, oily odor that gets stronger as the population grows.

How to Get Rid of Roaches in the Kitchen: Step-by-Step Guide

Getting rid of roaches in the kitchen takes effort, but following these steps will help you win the battle.

1. Deep clean everything. Wipe down counters, sweep and mop floors, and clean up any grease or spills. Don't forget to clean behind and under appliances where crumbs hide.
2. Eliminate water sources. Stay on top of leaks in pipes or faucets. Wipe down sinks, and don’t leave wet sponges or dishcloths sitting out overnight. 
3. Store all food properly in sealed containers. Don't leave fruit or vegetables sitting out for long periods. This includes pet food, which roaches love. 
4. Close off their entry points. Use caulk to seal cracks and crevices around your kitchen. Pay special attention to gaps around pipes, behind the stove, and along baseboards.
5. Declutter: Remove unnecessary items from your counters and cabinets. This helps to eliminate any potential hiding spots.
6. Set cockroach traps: Place them in areas where you've seen roach activity. 
7. Check your traps regularly and keep up with your cleaning routine. Continue to monitor with a few sticky traps. Catching one or two stragglers early prevents a new infestation from taking hold. Keep in mind that it may take several weeks to eliminate a roach infestation in your kitchen completely.

Traps and Baits to Eliminate Roaches in the Kitchen

The right traps and baits can make a huge difference when you're trying to get rid of cockroaches in your kitchen. Let’s talk about some of the most popular kinds of roach traps.

• Glue traps are the best for monitoring and catching roaches. Using a strong adhesive, they capture roaches as they walk across them. 
• Bait stations contain poison that roaches carry back to their hiding spots, killing other roaches in the colony. These are very effective but are also toxic, so they should be placed carefully.
• Natural options include boric acid powder, which you can sprinkle in areas where roaches hide. When roaches walk through it, the powder sticks to their bodies and kills them when they groom themselves. Just keep it away from areas where kids and pets can reach it.

What is the Best Roach Trap Placement in the Kitchen?

Where you place your traps matters just as much as the type you use. Since roaches prefer to move along kitchen perimeters, placing traps along walls and in corners will help catch them more quickly. You should also focus on high-activity areas, such as under the sink, behind the trash can, next to the stove, and behind the refrigerator.

Don't forget dark, warm hiding spots. The areas behind appliances, inside pantries, and under cabinets are the perfect spots to find small roaches in the kitchen. 

Toxic traps should be kept out of reach of children and pets, making non-toxic options, such as Catchmaster®’s cockroach glue traps, an ideal solution for kitchen areas.

Choose a Trap You Can Trust

Ready to reclaim your kitchen from roaches? Start with a deep clean today and set up your traps tonight. For effective, easy-to-use roach traps that really work, explore Catchmaster's full line of pest control solutions designed to keep your home pest-free.