Keeping Roaches Away Is Easier With This Simple Maintenance Task

Roaches don't just wander in and out of your home, only dropping by to get essential resources. Instead, they often set up camp right where the food is, and in most kitchens, that means the cabinets. Hidden behind cereal boxes and spice jars, crumbs and sticky drips turn those shelves into an all-night buffet. The simplest way to stop them before they spread is to wipe out your cabinets. That single habit shuts down a critical food source and keeps cockroaches from sticking around.

Cleaning cabinets to prevent roaches is not just about avoiding the ick factor, either. Cockroaches can carry bacteria that spread food-borne illnesses, so every overlooked crumb is a potential health hazard. Since roaches will chew through cardboard and thin plastic packaging, stored food in these areas are also at risk. You might be focused on wiping the counters and sweeping the floors, but your kitchen cabinet is yet another dirty spot in your home you should be cleaning regularly to prevent cockroaches. Start there, and you've already cut off one of their biggest attractants.

Take all the dishes, utensils, and food out of your cabinets. Don't skip the back corners where half-used spices and forgotten snacks like to hide. Toss anything that's expired, stale, or looks suspicious. As you clear the shelves, check for signs of roaches like tiny dark specks (droppings) or brown egg casings. If you see open or damaged packaging or contaminated food, throw it out immediately. Once you're done with this step, grab a vacuum with a brush attachment and run it along every shelf, corner, seam, and crevice. Roaches operate in tight hidden spaces like braces and joints, so be thorough. This step gets rid of crumbs, debris, and any hidden eggs you might have missed.

To thoroughly clean your cabinets, mix warm water with a little dish soap in a bucket or bowl. Use a clean cloth or sponge to wipe down your cabinet doors and shelves. If you run into grease or lingering odors, add a splash of vinegar to the soapy water. It helps cut through buildup and neutralizes smells without harsh chemicals. Rinse your cloth in your cleaning solution often as you work so you're not just moving grime around. If needed, you can also apply gel baits along the crevices in the cabinets afterward, rotating them as necessary to effectively get rid of roaches.

Once you've wiped everything down in your cabinet, follow a few consistent steps to keep roaches away. One simple maintenance task that can keep cockroaches out of your home is to make a habit of emptying your cabinets once a month. Wipe the shelves, check for crumbs, and toss anything stale or open. Make sure to look for cracks or gaps around cabinet edges, and seal them with caulk so pests can't slip back into the spaces you just cleaned.

Move your dry goods, snacks, and pet food into airtight containers. This keeps smells and crumbs contained and removes the easy meals roaches rely on. Once a spill happens, wipe it up right away. Don't let anything dirty sit out overnight, and do a quick sweep of all the hiding places in the kitchen every few weeks. These small habits keep cabinets (and the entire kitchen) less inviting to pests.