What Draws Cockroaches Into Enid Homes

Roaches need three things: food, water and a tight place to hide. Take those away and baits work better, treatments last longer and the roaches have a harder time coming back.

Which roach you have matters. German roaches live entirely indoors. Big roaches like the American cockroach come and go from outside. See cockroach control to tell them apart.

Water

Leaky faucets, a dripping drain under the kitchen sink, the pan under the fridge and a wet bathroom floor are all roach water. Fix leaks, dry the sink at night and don't leave pet water out where roaches can reach it overnight if you've got a problem.

Food

Extension guides call sanitation the main tool against German roaches. Crumbs under the toaster, grease on the stove, open cereal boxes and the pet bowl all count.

• Store food in sealed containers
• Wipe the stovetop and counters every night
• Pull out the stove and fridge now and then to clean underneath
• Take the trash out at night, not in the morning
• Pick up pet food bowls after meals

Cardboard and Clutter

Roaches love the corrugated layers in cardboard boxes, along with stacks of paper bags and newspapers. Move pantry overflow into plastic bins and get grocery boxes out of the house.

Gaps

Big roaches walk in from outside. Door sweeps, sealed gaps around pipes and screens on vents keep most of them out. In apartments, German roaches travel between units through plumbing walls, so sealing behind the sink and around pipes under cabinets helps too.

If you're already using gel bait, don't spray near it. The spray can keep roaches away from the bait.

See also: Cockroach Control, Ant Control