How to Remove Roaches from Kitchen Fast and Naturally

You see one roach in your kitchen, and suddenly it feels like your whole home is under attack. I’ve been there too. One day, I opened a cabinet and saw a cockroach crawling around my plates. It was disgusting! The good news is, you can get rid of roaches from your kitchen for good, and it doesn’t have to be hard. In this article, you’ll learn simple, natural, and fast ways to remove roaches from your kitchen and keep them out forever.

Find Where Roaches Are Hiding in Your Kitchen

To remove roaches, you must first know where they are hiding. Roaches like to hide in dark, warm, and wet places. They are very good at hiding, and you might not even see them during the day. But at night, they come out to look for food and water. The first thing you should do is turn off the lights at night and quietly walk into your kitchen. Use a flashlight and check places like under the sink, behind the fridge, under the oven, inside cabinets, and near the trash can.

Check for signs of roaches. These signs include small black droppings that look like coffee grounds, a bad smell, egg cases (they are brown and oval-shaped), or even dead roaches. If you see one or more of these signs, that means they are living somewhere close.

You can also use sticky traps. These traps are easy to find at stores. Put them in different corners of your kitchen, especially where you think roaches are hiding. Check the traps every day. This will help you find out which area has the most roaches.

Once you know where they are coming from, you can focus on those places. Look for cracks, holes, or small openings. Roaches love to crawl into small spaces. Check inside and behind cabinets, the bottom of your sink, and even near electrical outlets. Use a flashlight to help you see clearly.

Also, listen. At night, if it’s very quiet, you might even hear them moving. It’s creepy, but it’s one more way to know where they are.

If you’re renting a place, talk to your landlord. Let them know about the problem. Sometimes, the building itself has problems, and you can’t fix everything on your own.

• Use a flashlight at night to find hiding spots
• Look for droppings, egg cases, or dead roaches
• Place sticky traps to catch them and track activity
• Check behind appliances, under sinks, and inside cabinets
• Seal cracks and small openings
• Talk to your landlord if needed

Clean Your Kitchen Very Well Every Day

Roaches love dirty kitchens. If your kitchen has food crumbs, grease, or water drops, it’s like a buffet for them. Cleaning every day is very important. Even missing one night can bring them back. First, always wipe your countertops after cooking. Use soap and water or a cleaning spray. Make sure there is no food left behind. Roaches can smell it.

Next, sweep the floor. Roaches eat even the smallest crumbs. Mop the floor with a strong cleaner once a day. Make sure to clean under the table and behind the stove, because food can fall in those places too.

Take out the trash every night. Never leave trash inside your kitchen overnight. Use a trash can with a lid. If possible, clean your trash can once a week with soap and water.

Wash dishes right after you use them. Do not leave them in the sink overnight. Roaches are mostly active at night. If they find food and water in your sink, they will come and stay.

Also, clean your appliances. Wipe down the toaster, microwave, and the area around your stove. Grease and crumbs collect in those places. Don’t forget the inside of your cabinets and drawers. Use a vacuum to suck up crumbs and food bits that you can’t reach by hand.

Always keep your kitchen dry. Fix any leaking pipes under the sink. Use a cloth to wipe away water drops. Roaches need water, and a wet kitchen gives them exactly that.

Clean the outside of your fridge, oven, and any other appliance that you use often. Sometimes, food gets stuck under them and we forget to clean it.

• Wipe countertops after every meal
• Sweep and mop kitchen floor daily
• Clean under stove and table
• Take out trash every night and clean trash bin weekly
• Wash dishes right away
• Wipe appliances and clean cabinets
• Fix leaks and keep everything dry

Use Natural Roach Killers That Are Safe for Home

You don’t always need harsh sprays or chemicals to kill roaches. Natural things work too, and they are safer, especially if you have kids or pets. One of the best natural killers is boric acid. You can buy it at most stores. Mix boric acid with sugar and flour. The sugar attracts the roaches, and the boric acid kills them. Place small amounts in bottle caps or lids and leave them in corners, behind the fridge, or under the sink.

Another good natural option is baking soda with sugar. Mix equal parts of baking soda and sugar and put it where you see roaches. When roaches eat it, the baking soda creates gas in their stomach, and they die.

You can also use diatomaceous earth. It’s a white powder made from crushed fossils. It is safe for humans and pets, but deadly to roaches. Sprinkle it lightly in areas where you see them. It works by cutting their bodies and drying them out.

Bay leaves work too. Roaches don’t like the smell. You can crush some bay leaves and place them in cabinets or drawers. It won’t kill them, but it keeps them away.

Essential oils like peppermint oil or tea tree oil are also useful. Mix 10 drops of peppermint oil with water in a spray bottle and spray around your kitchen. It smells nice to us, but not to roaches.

Cucumber peels also work as a repellent. Place fresh cucumber peels near places where you saw roaches.

• Use boric acid with sugar and flour
• Mix baking soda with sugar as a killer
• Sprinkle diatomaceous earth safely
• Place crushed bay leaves as a repellent
• Spray peppermint oil with water
• Use fresh cucumber peels near hiding spots

Block Their Entry Points to Stop Them Coming Back

Roaches can come in from outside. They enter through holes, cracks, and even drains. If you don’t block these ways, they will keep coming back, even if you clean and use traps. First, look for cracks around windows, doors, and walls. Use caulk or sealant to close them. You can buy a small tube of caulk at any hardware store.

Next, look under your sink and around pipes. Roaches can crawl in through small holes near plumbing. Use steel wool or foam sealant to fill these holes. If the hole is too big, ask someone to help or call a handyman.

Cover your kitchen drains at night. Roaches can come up through drains, especially if they smell food. Use metal drain covers or rubber stoppers. Also, clean your drains regularly with boiling water and baking soda. This will help stop the smell and kill any hidden eggs.

Check your windows and doors. Make sure there are no gaps. If you can see light coming through, roaches can fit through too. Add weather strips or door sweeps.

Also, check grocery bags or cardboard boxes before bringing them into your kitchen. Sometimes, roaches hide in them. Unpack groceries outside the kitchen and check carefully.

• Seal cracks and gaps with caulk
• Fill pipe holes with foam or steel wool
• Cover drains at night and clean them often
• Fix gaps in doors and windows
• Check bags and boxes before bringing them in

Remove What Roaches Love: Food, Water, and Shelter

Roaches don’t just come for food. They stay because your kitchen gives them everything they need. You must remove all the things they love. First, store all your food in sealed containers. Don’t leave cereal boxes or bread bags open. Use glass jars or plastic bins with tight lids.

Don’t leave pet food out overnight. If your pet eats in the kitchen, clean up right away. Roaches will eat dry pet food too.

Keep your kitchen dry. Wipe the sink dry before bed. Don’t let water sit in cups or pots. Roaches only need a tiny drop of water to survive.

Throw away cardboard boxes. Roaches love to hide and lay eggs in them. Keep your kitchen organized and free of clutter. Don’t stack newspapers, bags, or old boxes.

Move appliances and clean behind them once a week. Sometimes, roaches hide under them and you won’t know it. Vacuum these spots and wipe them down.

Keep lights on in your kitchen at night for a few days if possible. Roaches hate light and may move away.

• Store food in sealed containers
• Do not leave pet food out
• Wipe down sink and dishes at night
• Remove cardboard, bags, and clutter
• Clean behind and under appliances weekly
• Keep kitchen light on at night for a while

Use Roach Traps and Safe Sprays to Finish the Job

Even after cleaning and sealing, you may still see a few roaches. Now it’s time to finish the job. Use roach traps. You can buy them in stores. Place them near places where you saw roaches. Sticky traps catch them, and bait traps poison them. Replace traps every week to keep them working.

Use sprays, but choose ones that are safe for your home. You can make your own spray with water, soap, and peppermint oil. Mix and spray around the edges of your kitchen. Soap clogs their breathing holes and kills them.

Another spray is vinegar and lemon juice. It helps clean and also keeps roaches away. Spray it on counters, inside cabinets, and even floors.

You can also use gel baits. These are small drops of poison that you put in corners. Roaches eat the gel and then die. Other roaches eat the dead ones and die too. Use small amounts in safe spots.

Be patient. It takes time to kill them all. Even if you see less of them, don’t stop using traps and sprays. Keep going for at least a month to make sure they are all gone.

• Use sticky and poison bait traps
• Replace traps every week
• Make sprays with soap, water, and peppermint oil
• Spray vinegar and lemon to clean and repel
• Use gel baits in safe corners
• Continue treatment for at least a month

Final Thoughts

Roaches are awful to deal with, but you can beat them. I’ve done it, and so can you. With cleaning, sealing, and using natural tricks, your kitchen can be roach-free. Just stay strong and don’t give up too soon. Every little step matters. Keep your kitchen clean, dry, and closed to roaches. Once they’re gone, keep up your habits so they never return. A clean kitchen is a happy kitchen. You deserve to cook and eat in peace without these nasty bugs crawling around.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is it safe to use boric acid in the kitchen?

Yes, it is safe if you use it the right way. Boric acid is a natural powder that kills roaches, but you should always keep it away from food, children, and pets. Place small amounts inside bottle caps or shallow lids and put them in places that are hard to reach like behind the fridge or under the sink. Always wash your hands after touching it. If you have pets, use other natural options like baking soda or essential oils instead.

Can roaches come back after I remove them?

Yes, they can come back if you don’t fix the root cause. Roaches return if they find food, water, or shelter. That’s why cleaning, sealing holes, and using traps for a few weeks is very important. Also, make sure to keep your kitchen dry and remove anything they like. If you do all the steps correctly and keep your kitchen clean always, it becomes very hard for roaches to return.

Do I need to call pest control for roaches?

You can try to remove roaches on your own first by using traps, natural powders, and by cleaning. But if the problem gets worse or if you live in a building where other apartments also have roaches, it might be time to call pest control. They have strong tools and sprays that can kill roaches deep inside walls. If nothing else works, getting help from professionals is a smart choice.

Is it okay to use vinegar to kill roaches?

Vinegar helps to clean and keep your kitchen fresh, but it doesn’t really kill roaches. However, roaches don’t like the strong smell of vinegar. You can use vinegar mixed with lemon juice to clean your kitchen surfaces. This can help keep roaches away, but it won’t be enough to kill them. Use vinegar with other methods like traps, powders, and sealing holes to get better results.

Can roaches live inside appliances?

Yes, roaches love to hide inside warm appliances like ovens, microwaves, and refrigerators. They can crawl into the back of your fridge or even live inside toasters. That’s why you must move your appliances and clean behind and under them often. Wipe them down, remove crumbs, and spray safe natural sprays around them. Keeping these spots clean and dry is the key to stopping roaches from living there.

Do I need to stop eating in the kitchen?

No, you can still eat in your kitchen. But you must clean everything right after eating. Wipe the table, sweep the floor, and wash your dishes. Don’t leave any crumbs or spills. Roaches love dirty plates and leftover food. If you eat in your kitchen and don’t clean after, that’s like inviting them to dinner. Eating is fine, but clean up right away to stop roaches.

Is it bad to see one roach?

Even one roach means there could be more hiding. Roaches don’t live alone. If you see one, it could mean there are many more hiding in cracks or behind walls. Take action right away. Clean everything, put out traps, and look for signs like droppings or egg cases. One roach is a big warning sign. Don’t wait to see more. The sooner you act, the easier it is to get rid of them.

Can roaches harm my health?

Yes, roaches can be bad for your health. Their droppings and skin can cause allergies, asthma, and stomach problems. They walk over dirty places and then come into your kitchen and touch your food. That’s really dangerous. They can also carry bacteria that make you sick. That’s why it’s very important to remove them and keep your kitchen clean. A clean kitchen is not just for looks, it’s for your health too.