Where Do Cockroaches Hide?

Cockroaches pose serious health risks to humans if they get into your home. They spread dozens of kinds of bacteria, including E. coli and Salmonella, and they can also cause allergic reactions and trigger asthma attacks, especially in children. Eliminating a cockroach infestation is essential for health and safety reasons, so it is good to know where cockroaches typically hide in your home. 

Common Areas in Your Home Where Cockroaches Could Be Hiding

Where to Find Cockroaches Hiding in the Kitchen

Most pests head indoors searching for food and water, and the kitchen provides them access to both. Cockroaches are one of the most common insects found in the kitchen. These pests are skilled hitchhikers often carried into the home via grocery bags, infested food, or cardboard boxes, and then rarely leave once inside. You can find these insects munching on food items and crumbs in cabinets, pantries and even trash cans! Some species, like the brown-banded cockroach and German cockroach, can be hiding in the house where your appliances and electronic equipment are, such as refrigerator motors, ovens, dishwashers, toasters, and microwaves.

Where Cockroaches Can Hide in the Bathroom 

While most people cringe, cockroaches love the word “moist.” These infamous invaders prefer warm and moist environments and are thus frequently seen hiding in bathrooms. You may notice these creatures scurrying around your bathroom sinks, drains, pipes, and toilets. Some species such as the German cockroach hide inside cracked bathroom tiles, whereas others may find a haven in the cabinets where they may go unnoticed and undisturbed.

Hiding Spots for Cockroaches in the Living Room

The living room provides cockroaches with ample hiding spots where they're completely out of human sight. Wherever there are food crumbs and trails, roaches won’t be too far behind. Some species like to hide inside of photo frames, clocks, and furniture. The brown-banded cockroach, in particular, often hides its egg cases in or under furniture. Food crumbs left behind from TV dinners or late-night snacks will more than satisfy the appetites of these pests hiding in your living room.

Where to Look for Cockroaches in the Basement 

Did you know that many cockroaches can live without food for one month? However, they can only survive one week without water. As such, humid or high moisture areas around the home, like the basement, often provide an ideal home for these insects. Some species can enter structures through door thresholds and floor drains, as well as along utility pipes. Typically dwelling in sewers and under debris such as leaves or stones, American and Oriental cockroaches will happily hide in basements if they can get inside.

Where Else Do Cockroaches Hide in Your Home?

Cockroaches are extremely resilient and one of the most adaptable creatures in the world. They can hide just about anywhere in your home, but most species, including the German Cockroach, tend to hide where they have access to food, water, and shelter. Laundry rooms, dining rooms, and tiny cracks and crevices are also locations where cockroaches could be hiding in your home.

Tips to Prevent Cockroaches from Hiding in Your Home:

• Proper Sanitation is key! Dispose of garbage regularly in a sealed trash bin.
• Keep kitchens clean by wiping down countertops and sweeping floors to remove crumbs and residue from spills. Also, store food in sealed containers, and keep ripe fruit in the refrigerator.
• Routinely check under sinks for areas of moisture and repair any leaky pipes. Consider using a dehumidifier in damp basements, crawl spaces or attics. If drains aren’t routinely cleaned and covered, bathrooms can quickly become a cockroach haven.
• Keep pet bowls clean and wipe up any spilled food or water around them promptly. Store dry pet food in a sealed plastic container rather than the paper bags they often come in.
• If you suspect or discover an infestation, contact a licensed pest control professional to properly assess and treat the situation.

Learn More Facts About Cockroaches: 

• Out of Sight - Cockroaches
• Cockroaches Pest Guide
• Cockroaches 101
• Fascinating Cockroach Facts