Eliminate Cockroaches From Kitchen Cabinets For Good

Finding cockroaches crawling around your kitchen is never a pleasant experience. Even just one or two roaches can make your skin crawl, and a full-on infestation in your cabinets is enough to make anyone's stomach turn. While cockroaches are notoriously difficult pests to get rid of, taking the right steps can help you kick them out of your cabinets for good.

You'll learn how to identify if you have an infestation, prevention tips to keep them away, natural remedies to kill roaches, when to call in professional help, and how to stop future invaders from settling back in. With persistence and vigilance, you can eliminate existing roaches and enjoy a pest-free kitchen.

Identifying a Cockroach Infestation

Before you can get rid of cockroaches, you need to confirm if they have indeed infested your kitchen cabinets. Signs that you may have unwanted roommates include:

• Seeing live cockroaches, especially at night when they are most active
• Small brown or black oval droppings in cabinets or along countertops
• Shed cockroach skins, which look like little brown husks
• A musty, stale odor emanating from the cabinets

Inspect inside cabinets carefully, especially in out-of-sight areas like cracks, crevices, and corners. Also check under and behind appliances that are pushed up against cabinets. If you spot multiple live roaches or other definitive signs, you likely have an established infestation.

At that point, it's best to call in a professional exterminator. They have the powerful chemicals and expertise to fully treat a severe cockroach problem. DIY remedies may not be enough to knock out a heavy infestation that has spread throughout the kitchen.

Prevention Tips

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to cockroaches. Even if you don't currently see roaches, implementing preventative measures can help ensure they don't take up residence in your cabinets.

Start by keeping your kitchen meticulously clean and dry. Sweep and mop floors, wipe down countertops, and vacuum inside cabinets regularly to remove crumbs and residue. Fix any water leaks immediately and invest in a dehumidifier if the room tends to be damp.

Cockroaches need food and water to survive, so don't give them access to either one! Store all pantry items like cereal, pasta, rice, and baking supplies in airtight plastic bins or glass jars. Empty the kitchen trash frequently, and rinse recyclables before putting them in the bin.

Sealing cracks is also important. Use caulk to plug gaps along the edges of cabinets, around pipes, and near the stove and fridge. Install weatherstripping around doors and windows to block potential entry points. Eliminating all access routes deters roaches from invading in the first place.

Natural Remedies and Repellents

If you do spot a cockroach or two, your first line of defense should be natural cockroach killers you can deploy inside your kitchen cabinets:

Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a powder made from crushed fossils of diatoms, a type of algae. The sharp edges of DE cut and damage the waxy outer coating of cockroaches, causing dehydration and death. DE is non-toxic and safe for pets.

Sprinkle a fine layer inside cabinets and along the backs of countertops. Reapply after cleaning or if it gets wet. Wear a mask when applying to avoid breathing in dust.

Essential Oils

Certain potent essential oils like peppermint, tea tree, and lemongrass naturally deter roaches. Mix a few drops into a spray bottle filled with water and mist inside cabinets and along baseboards. The strong aroma repels roaches while leaving your kitchen smelling fresh.

Boric Acid

Boric acid is a stomach poison that cockroaches ingest when they groom themselves. But it must be kept out of reach of kids and pets. Lightly dust boric acid powder along the back of cabinets and under appliances. It works slowly but effectively.

Borax can be substituted for boric acid. Mix with an equal amount of baking soda and sprinkle in infested areas.

Bay Leaves & Eggshells

Bay leaves and crushed eggshells also deter roaches. Spread bay leaves around cabinets and place crushed eggshells inside cracks. The strong scents and prickly texture send roaches running.

Chemical Pesticides and Baits

For stubborn infestations, chemical pesticides are stronger and faster acting than DIY remedies:

Sprays

Over-the-counter roach killer sprays containing chemicals like pyrethroids are effective for direct contact kills. Spray a perimeter around cabinets and directly into cracks where roaches hide.

Gels and Baits

Bait products contain pesticides mixed with food to attract roaches. Slow-acting Advion gel kills roaches that consume it over several days. Place tiny gel droplets where roaches travel and nest.

Only use pesticides as a last resort, not your first line of defense. Carefully read and follow all label instructions.

Non-Toxic Traps

If you want to capture roaches without chemicals, various traps are quite effective:

Glue Traps

Roach motel-style sticky glue traps snare roaches when they walk across the boards. Place traps along walls and cabinets. Once caught, roaches can't escape.

Pandora Box

The Pandora electronic trap lures roaches in with pheromones then traps them inside. While pricier, these battery-powered traps kill roaches without any toxins.

Black Light Traps

Black light roach traps attract roaches with UV light. They enter but can't climb back out. However, these traps only catch roaches very close by.

Homemade Soda Bottle Trap

Make your own inexpensive trap from a 2-liter bottle. Bait it with sugar water, and roaches get stuck inside. Just add some dish soap to the mixture so roaches sink.

Physical Removal and Extermination

To tackle roaches head-on, try these hands-on extermination techniques:

Vacuuming

A thorough vacuuming inside cabinets, along edges, and behind appliances sucks up roaches and egg sacs. Use the crevice tool to reach into cracks.

Steam Cleaning

A steam cleaner blasts extremely hot vapor into roaches' hiding spots, instantly killing them on contact.

Sealing Entry Points

Cockroaches may enter from outdoors through cracks and gaps. Seal up any openings around pipes and vents with caulk. This stops more from sneaking in.

Also repair any water leaks, as moisture attracts roaches. Keeping your kitchen cabinets as dry as possible deters infestations.

Preventing Future Infestations

Getting rid of roaches is only half the battle--you also have to prevent them from returning! Stop cockroaches before they ever gain a foothold with these tips:

• Clean cabinets thoroughly on a regular basis.
• Inspect for potential entry points and seal them up.
• Continue using natural repellents like diatomaceous earth.
• Store all foods in secure containers.
• Fix any plumbing leaks promptly.
• Call an exterminator at the first sign of roaches.

Ongoing vigilance and roach-proofing measures will help keep infestations from recurring. Know when to bring in professional reinforcements if you start seeing live roaches again.

Although eliminating roaches from your kitchen cabinets requires dedication, it is very possible with the right techniques. Natural pesticides, traps, thorough cleaning, and diligent prevention can help banish roaches for good.

Finding roaches in your cabinets is a frustrating and gross experience. But you can reclaim your cockroach-free kitchen by identifying infestations quickly, using natural and chemical remedies, and taking steps to deter future invasions. With time and tenacity, you'll be able to store dishes and food without shuddering at the thought of uninvited insect guests again.