How to Get Rid of Cockroaches in Your Kitchen Cabinets

No pest problem can cause quite as much stress and anxiety as when you find cockroaches in your kitchen cabinets. Even if you only see one cockroach, there are likely more hiding nearby. Use this guide to discover solutions to restore the peace and comfort of your home.

What are cockroaches?

Before you can properly keep cockroaches out of your kitchen cabinets, it’s essential to understand a bit about them. Cockroaches are tough pests that can expertly adapt for survival in various environments. While there are about 4,000 cockroach species worldwide, only around 70 of those species live in the United States. 

Cockroaches prefer occupied buildings and homes because they thrive in warmth and have easy access to food and water sources. It’s often thought that cockroaches are attracted to filth, but they can set up shop in the cleanest environments once they find a good place to hide and access to nutrients. Cockroaches in your cabinets can go undetected until a large colony has established itself.

Are cockroaches harmful to humans?

Unfortunately, cockroaches can cause several problems for humans and pets. Cockroaches spread over 30 different kinds of bacteria and can trigger allergies and asthma attacks, particularly for children.

Why are there cockroaches in my cabinets?

The presence of crumbs, packaged food, and drips of things like oil or syrup make your cabinets a nice, dark buffet. Cockroaches survive by being stealthy and quick; their slender, flat bodies can hide in the small areas between shelving or doors. They seek out dark, secluded quarters with cracks and crevices to reproduce and build nests. Since cabinetry is attached to walls, they’re also able to travel from place to place within your home undetected. It can be difficult to figure out how to keep cockroaches out of your cupboards. But choosing the right way to store kitchen items and food can help. Cabinets filled with foods are particularly susceptible to a cockroach problem.

How do I keep cockroaches out of my kitchen cabinets?

As with most common household pests, preventive measures are the best way to avoid a problem. Make sure you tightly seal any food you store in cabinets, even if that means transferring foods from their original packaging into airtight containers. Check your cabinetry for gaps, cracks, splits, or areas where the cabinets pull away from the wall. Clean up any spills or messes as soon as they happen, and keep your cabinets clean by wiping them out regularly. Don’t leave standing water in your cabinets after a leak, burst pipe, or spill. 

How to seal cabinets from cockroaches

If you notice areas where your cabinets are split, falling away from the wall, or have gaps, cracks, or crevices, it’s vital to seal them to prevent access to various pests. If your cabinet pulls away from the wall, you may need to rehang the unit’s frame. You can also try replacing some of the hardware for a tighter fit against the wall. For gaps and crevices, use a caulking gun to create a barrier. If there are large gaps, you may need to add shims or check that your cabinetry is level and flush against the wall.

How to clean cabinets after a cockroach infestation

After you have an infestation of cockroaches dealt with, it’s time to clean your cabinets to prevent further infestations. To remove cockroach waste, egg casing, or shells, use an angled attachment on a vacuum. Get into every corner and along every edge. If the shelves are removable, take them out and vacuum both sides. Wipe down the cabinet interior walls, doors, and shelving with warm water and antibacterial soap, follow with a dry cloth, and allow to dry with the doors open. Once the cabinets are completely dry, return and restock your shelves.

Cockroach pest control services

The best and most accurate way to handle cockroaches in your kitchen cabinets is by hiring professionals like Hawx Pest Control. With proven methods, qualified technicians, and the best products and services available, Hawx is an expert in pest control solutions. Our teams focus on the highest quality results that address current problems and prevent future infestations.