What Attracts Cockroaches Into Homes?

Rentokil Boecker® Answers

I keep spotting cockroaches in my kitchen at night. What’s attracting them into my home?

Cockroaches are attracted into homes for three main reasons: food, moisture, and shelter. Even clean homes can attract them if they offer easy access to any of these essentials. Crumbs under appliances, uncovered food, overflowing bins, pet food left out overnight, and even grease buildup can all invite cockroaches indoors. Moisture is another major attractant, which is why they’re often found near leaking pipes, sinks, drains, bathrooms, and humid areas.

Warm, dark hiding places also make homes appealing to cockroaches. They tend to settle behind refrigerators, inside cabinets, under sinks, in cardboard boxes, or within cracks and wall gaps where they can stay hidden during the day. In apartments and shared buildings, cockroaches may also travel between units through plumbing systems or small openings around pipes and vents.

Cockroaches can enter homes through surprisingly small spaces, including gaps under doors, cracks in walls, drains, vents, and utility openings. Sometimes they are accidentally brought inside through grocery bags, delivery boxes, secondhand furniture, or storage cartons.