Why Are There Roaches in my Clean House? | McCall Service (2024)

It’s been said by some that a clean house is a roach-resistant house. There’s some truth to that. By keeping a clean dwelling, you’ll give roaches less of a reason to intrude upon your happy home. There is more to keeping roaches at bay than just having spotless floors, however. Let’s look at potential trouble spots that you may have overlooked during your most recent cleaning spree or inspection.

How Clean is Clean?

You can mop the floors, disinfect counters, and give your appliances a shine. But what about those places that aren’t often seen or touched? Roaches spend most of their time in the areas of your home that you don’t see. They squeeze between the oven and wall where grease splatters and drippings remain out of sight. They crawl under the refrigerator and feast on lost food and juice or soft drink spills. If you’re someone who drops crumbs in between couch cushions or underneath ottomans, you might have a roach problem.

To keep these nasty nuisances out, clean these areas on a routine basis.

Regularly Inspect Stored Food

In addition to feasting on grime and crumbs, some roaches are persistent enough to make their way into your pantry and stored food. This is doubly true if you don’t invest in airtight, plastic containers. Any unsecured pantry items could wind up a veritable buffet for roaches. The plastic containers can keep aromas in and roaches out.

Cleaning Outside the Kitchen

Even if you’re absolutely certain that the kitchen is spotless, there are other opportunities for roaches to rear their ugly heads. They can eat some truly unexpected items, including soap, toothpaste, glue, leather, book bindings, human hair, and feces. Even though roaches have a preferred diet, anything will do in a pinch. If that wasn’t bad enough, co*ckroaches can go more than six weeks without eating anything.

Hiding Places

Sometimes roaches aren’t after food, just a place to hide. If that’s the case, you’ll need to do a little more investigating around your home to see if you can figure out how they’re getting inside.

How to Keep Roaches Out

Keeping your home clean and your food secure should fix most of the roach issues, but there are some other steps to take to prevent them from coming in, including:

  • Filling in holes in exterior walls with a caulking gun. Focus on pipes, outlets, air conditioning units, and other gaps.
  • Fix all weather stripping and door sweeps. co*ckroaches don’t need much of a gap to sneak inside.
  • Examine window and door screens and patch any holes.

Call McCall Service for Dedicated Roach Removal

Even if you follow all these steps (or if you live in an older house), you may still need extra muscle to kick co*ckroaches to the curb. That’s where McCall Service comes in. If you’ve experienced a co*ckroach infestation in your Florida home or business—or are worried about the possibility of one—our pest control experts have what it takes to determine the cause of your co*ckroach conundrum and get rid of them once and for all. To get started, schedule your appointment with one of our pest control technicians today.

Why Are There Roaches in my Clean House? | McCall Service (2024)

FAQs

Why Are There Roaches in my Clean House? | McCall Service? ›

They're Attracted By Water

Why does my clean house have roaches? ›

Some factors that can attract co*ckroaches to clean houses include: Moisture. Leaking sinks and appliances create conditions in which roaches thrive, since they offer a readily available source of water as well as the warm, sheltered spaces that provide the ideal harborage for co*ckroach nests. Untidy landscaping.

How do you get rid of roaches in a clean house? ›

The best way to get rid of roaches fast is to sanitize your home, eliminate hiding spots and stagnant water, store food in airtight containers, and use glue strips, bait, or roach spray. If you're experiencing a severe infestation, contact a professional pest management company ASAP.

Why do co*ckroaches suddenly appear in the house? ›

The more cluttered your home is, the more likely they are to come on in. Piles of newspapers and books, clothing left on the floor, shelves jam-packed with things – these all provide an excellent hiding spot for roaches. Keep your home as clutter-free as possible to avoid roach intruders.

Why are roaches in my clean bathroom? ›

In bathrooms, co*ckroaches might feast on hair, soap scum, or toothpaste residue. Water: Leaky pipes, dripping faucets, and condensation from showers provide ample moisture for roaches. Shelter: Cracks in floors and walls, the space behind appliances, and underneath cabinets offer perfect hiding spots for roaches.

How long can roaches live in a clean house? ›

Did you know that roaches can live for up to a month without food but only a week without water? No matter how clean your home is, if there's some excess moisture somewhere, it could very well be an attractive invitation for your neighborhood roaches.

What is the number one cause of roaches? ›

Moisture. Roaches need moisture to survive and this search for water will bring them into even the cleanest of homes. Leaky pipes and faucets are one of the most common attractants for co*ckroaches and is one of the main reasons you often see them in bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms.

What cleaning smell do roaches hate? ›

Lemons & Oranges

The scent of citrus fruits is often used as a component in household cleaners, but they have also shown some effectiveness as a co*ckroach repellent. Studies have shown that co*ckroaches are repelled by the scent of lemon and oranges because they contain the terpene limonene.

What gets rid of roaches permanently? ›

Boric acid can quickly kick a roach infestation to the curb. It's extremely toxic and can kill multiple generations of roaches. Mix a combination of equal parts of boric acid, sugar and water to make a dough. Roll that dough into balls or cylinders and place them where roaches will find them.

What do co*ckroaches hate the most? ›

Ways To Repel co*ckroaches From Your Home

Due to their strong sense of smell, co*ckroaches dislike several pungent herbs and spices, including cinnamon, citrus, thyme basil, citronella, basil, mint, garlic, coffee grounds, peppermint, and bay leaves.

What keeps co*ckroaches away? ›

Mix a few drops of essential oil, such as peppermint, eucalyptus, or lavender, with water in a spray bottle. Then, spray the solution along baseboards, corners, and other areas where roaches are likely to hide. Remember to refresh the spray regularly to maintain its effectiveness.

Is it normal to see a roach every once in a while? ›

Most people equate co*ckroaches with dirty homes but this isn't always the case. What attracts co*ckroaches to a clean house is food, water, and warmth. While the presence of one co*ckroach in your home can be enough to send you into a panic, one roach doesn't necessarily mean you have a full blown infestation.

Why do I still have roaches if I keep my house clean? ›

Food Sources Can Attract Roaches

Food left on countertops, open packages in your pantry, crumbs on the floor, and even pet food will welcome these pests inside your home. Be diligent about how you store your food and how you clean up messes.

Do I have roaches because my house is dirty? ›

If you think you have co*ckroaches, do not panic. Finding roaches is not a sign that your house is dirty. Even if you clean regularly and maintain a tidy home, co*ckroaches can usually find food and water without much trouble. This allows them to thrive in many environments.

What does a roach nest look like? ›

Look for Shed Skin and Egg Casings

One of the most obvious signs of an active co*ckroach nest is shed skin, which co*ckroaches molt as they grow. Another sign is egg casings, which look like small brown capsules. Look for these items near baseboards, cupboards, and other areas where roaches might be nesting.

Can you be clean and still have roaches? ›

American roaches and other species are attracted to food residue, crumbs, and spills. Even a meticulously clean home can have hidden traces of food that attract these pests. Interestingly enough, co*ckroaches can survive for extended periods without food but need water regularly.

How to figure out where roaches are coming from? ›

  1. Cracks in Walls and Foundations. Gaps and cracks are easy entryways for roaches. ...
  2. Doorways. Slipping into your home underneath a door is another common way for a roach to get inside. ...
  3. Plumbing Lines. Roaches are drawn to spaces with moisture, warmth and food. ...
  4. Packages, Bags, and Clothing. ...
  5. Basem*nts.
Jan 20, 2022

What makes co*ckroaches go away? ›

Boric acid can quickly kick a roach infestation to the curb. It's extremely toxic and can kill multiple generations of roaches. Mix a combination of equal parts of boric acid, sugar and water to make a dough. Roll that dough into balls or cylinders and place them where roaches will find them.

Can a roach-infested house be saved? ›

However, with proper pest control techniques and a thorough treatment plan, it is possible to eradicate a co*ckroach infestation. Experts, like Smithereen, can use a variety of methods, such as insecticide sprays, baits, and dusts, to target the co*ckroaches and their hiding places.

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