Cockroaches in your kitchen? These simple steps can help get rid of them and keep them from coming back

Switch on the kitchen light at night and spot a cockroach disappearing behind the refrigerator? The one you see may not be the only problem. Cockroaches are experts at squeezing into dark, damp spaces and finding tiny sources of food and water. More importantly, getting rid of them isn't simply about killing the insects you can see; experts say you need to make your home far less inviting to the ones hiding out of sight.

Cockroach infestation can be a major problem; find out where they are hiding

Proper inspections under sinks, within and above kitchen cupboards, and around refrigerators, dishwashers, and stoves are suggested by Homes & Gardens. Cockroaches are likely to get enough moisture from condensation beneath a refrigerator to survive. Similarly, the University of Minnesota Extension suggests setting sticky traps on walls close to refrigerators, stoves, sinks, and cabinets to identify areas where cockroach activity is maximised.

An unwelcoming kitchen is one of the easiest ways to combat cockroaches. Making the house uninhabitable is the most natural way to "starve them out," according to Brett Bennett of PURCOR Pest Solutions, who spoke with Homes & Gardens. This includes cleaning cabinets, keeping spaces under sinks dry, wiping up spills and crumbs, and routinely putting out the trash. The same idea is supported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It advises not leaving pet food or water out overnight, addressing leaking plumbing, and tightly packaging food scraps.

Seal tiny entrances you may ignore

Cockroaches may arrive in sacks and parcels or enter through openings around pipes, doors, and windows. The EPA advises caulking gaps around pipes and caulking cracks around baseboards and cabinets. Additionally, don't ignore cardboard. The University of Minnesota Extension recommends getting rid of extra boxes, newspapers, and paper bags since corrugated cardboard boxes can be a source of cockroach infestations.

Why shouldn't you simply ignore cockroaches?

As a natural deterrent, peppermint oil is often recommended. Natasha Wright, a certified entomologist, told Homes & Gardens that a peppermint-oil spray can keep roaches away, but it needs to be reapplied because the scent goes away. Cockroaches are more than just bothersome house visitors. Cockroaches are one of the most prevalent asthma triggers, according to the CDC, which also advises cleaning up spills and crumbs as they happen, storing food in airtight containers and caulking cracks around cabinets, walls, and plumbing.

There isn't a single cooking trick that can instantly eliminate an infestation. Removing food, removing moisture, sealing access ways, keeping an eye on hiding spots, and using targeted therapy when needed are all part of the more practical but less dramatic approach. The safer course of action might be to hire a professional pest control company if cockroaches still arrive after taking those precautions.