If you find cockroaches in your drain, take these steps to control them.
Cockroaches can contaminate food, spread disease-causing germs and even trigger asthma attacks. If you see even a single cockroach in your home, you may have an infestation on your hands. Getting rid of cockroaches can be challenging, because they're hardy creatures that can live without food for a month.
Related > What Do Cockroaches Eat?
Cockroaches often live in bathroom and kitchen drains, where they have a good source of water and food. If you find cockroaches in your drain, take these steps to help control them.
How to help eliminate cockroaches' water sources and entry points
- Seal your drain pipes. Use a flashlight to locate any cracks or holes in your drain pipes. If you find cracks or holes, seal them with appropriate caulk.
- Fix leaky faucets. Standing water attracts cockroaches. Seal crevices and holes around your drain pipes with caulk, plaster or cement.
- Seal crevices and holes around your drain pipes. You can use duct tape as a quick fix for cracks and crevices. For a longer-term solution, use silicone caulk, plaster or cement.
- Look for gaps around the pipes under your sink. Fill these gaps with silicone sealant or urethane foam. You can fill larger holes with steel wool or copper mesh before you seal them.
- Address holes in your walls. Use expanding insulation foam to seal any spaces around the pipes where they come through the walls.
- Cease the condensation. Wrap insulation foam and tape around any pipes that produce condensation. When you remove their water source, the roaches will go elsewhere for water.
How to help prevent cockroaches from infesting your drains
- Move or remove the garbage cans. The garbage cans under your kitchen or bathroom sink can attract roaches.
- Cover drains with a stopper at night. You can use rubber drain covers or metal drain screens. Cockroaches are nocturnal, so it’s most important to block their entry at night.
- Clean your kitchen drain. Rinse your kitchen drain with an approved kitchen sink cleaner to remove food particles that attract roaches.
- Keep counters and appliances clean. Don’t leave food on the counters or in the kitchen sink, especially overnight.
Contact your Terminix® pest management professional if these DIY efforts to get rid of cockroaches are not successful, or if you want the help of a professional from the start.
