Pests Keeping You Awake? How to Get Rid of Cockroaches in Your bedroom

Cockroaches are some of the most unwelcome pests that can invade a home. Seeing cockroaches in your bedroom is incredibly unpleasant, making it difficult to sleep until an infestation is under control. Find out what to do if you see cockroaches in this most private of spaces.

What attracts cockroaches to a bedroom? 

Cockroaches are usually attracted to areas of a home where warmth, shelter, food, and water are available, such as in kitchens and bathrooms. When a bedroom has a bathroom attached or one is nearby, cockroaches can also be found in the sleeping area, especially if the infestation is large. The same applies to a bedroom next to a kitchen or dining area.

Why would cockroaches be in my bedroom?

Many things can attract cockroaches to your bedroom, like:

• Food and crumbs that may be lying about
• Clutter, such as piles of paper
• Damp or dirty clothing
• Food residue, paper, or odors that can become stuck in the fibers of carpeted flooring

Also, since cockroaches tend to enter through your home’s exterior or air vents, these dark, warm places give insects direct access to your sleeping areas.

Do cockroaches get in your bed?

It’s not typical for cockroaches to live in your bed or mattress, but they have been known to hide inside the bed’s frame, headboard, or in the nightstand or dresser. You might also find cockroaches under a bed. 

Since these critters are nocturnal, they often creep out of their hiding spots at night to look for food. Seeing a cockroach crawl across a bed isn’t unusual if the insects are already making a home in your bedroom or a nearby bathroom. 

Types of cockroaches

There are three main types of cockroaches in the U.S. They are:

• German cockroaches, which are light brown in color and small in size, grow to about ½” long. They have wings but rarely fly. 
• Smoky-brown cockroaches. These are roughly the same size as German cockroaches but are darker in color and have a shiny look. Smoky-brown cockroaches have large wings, and they do fly.
• Oriental cockroaches are tiny and mainly found in the southern states, especially South Carolina.

If you see a tiny cockroach in the bedroom, it could also be a nymph or a German baby cockroach. Seeing baby cockroaches anywhere in your home is a sign that you’re dealing with an established infestation and you should seek professional help.

Are cockroaches dangerous?

Cockroaches are carriers of bacteria and disease and are an allergen and asthma trigger for some people. These insects can spread illnesses through their droppings as they travel through rooms. Cockroaches may be attracted to your coffeemaker and other food-related appliances or utensils. You might drink from, eat, or touch contaminated sources, which can spread salmonella or other viruses.

How to get rid of cockroaches in a bedroom

Seeing one cockroach in a bedroom usually means many more are nesting in the home. The most effective way to get rid of cockroaches in a bedroom or elsewhere in the home is by calling in a pest management company. These insects are incredibly resourceful and difficult to eradicate from an environment without professional assistance.

How to prevent cockroaches in a bedroom

Some of the best ways to prevent cockroaches from invading your bedroom now and in the future include:

• Keep your bedroom very clean, including vacuuming rugs regularly and changing bed linens often
• Not eating or storing food in the bedroom
• Eliminating clutter that cockroaches can hide in
• Running a dehumidifier to keep moisture low, as cockroaches thrive in humid spaces
• Wiping up any puddles or spills and fixing leaky pipes or faucets in nearby bathrooms
• Sealing up cracks and gaps that cockroaches can use as an entry into your bedroom

Cockroach pest control services 

The experienced professionals at Hawx Pest Control will work with you to protect your home from cockroach infestations. Our effective pest treatments and recurring services target cockroaches at their sources, getting rid of nests, sealing up their entry points, and removing all traces of the insects’ odors and residue. Contact our team members today to schedule a free estimate.