19 Easy Home Fixes To Get Rid Of Little Roaches For Good

🔎 Disclosure: Heads up, babe: some links here are affiliate links, which means you might throw a tiny commission my way if you buy (zero extra cost to you). Only things you’d actually use and love get shared on this site.

What Happens After You Do This:

  • Fewer live roaches seen in kitchen and bathroom within 2 to 3 weeks
  • Less food waste from contaminated snacks and pantry items
  • Lower chance of paying for repeat pest treatments

1. Wipe Down Kitchen Counters Every Night Before Bed

Tiny crumbs and grease dots left on counters become a midnight snack bar for little roaches, babe.

Start This Way: Grab a soapy cloth after dinner and wipe every counter edge and corner before going to sleep.

This gets easier if you use microfiber cleaning cloths to pick up crumbs fast without spreading them around.

2. Store All Pantry Food In Tight Lid Containers

Open cereal bags and snack boxes let roaches crawl in and lay eggs where you cannot see them, girl.

Here’s What To Do: Move flour, rice, cereal, and chips into hard plastic containers with snapping lids today.

It will be so much easier if you use airtight food storage containers to block their access completely.

3. Vacuum Under The Fridge And Stove Once A Week

Crumbs and grease slide under heavy appliances and sit there for months feeding the nest.

Here’s A Quick Way: Pull appliances out one at a time and vacuum the floor and wall behind them.

You can make this faster if you use a vacuum with a crevice tool attachment to reach tight gaps.

4. Fix Leaky Faucets And Dry Out Sink Cabinets

Little roaches need water daily, and even one slow drip keeps them alive.

The Easy First Step Is: Tighten loose faucet parts and wipe the cabinet floor dry after washing dishes.

You can make this less hard if you use plumber’s tape to seal small leaks quickly.

Picked For You:  23 Risky Habits That Let Bed Bugs Take Over

5. Take Out The Trash Every Single Night

Food scraps sitting overnight create strong smells that attract more roaches into the kitchen.

Do It Like This: Empty the trash before bed and wipe the inside rim with cleaner once a week.

This is less annoying when you use a trash can with a tight closing lid to trap smells inside.

6. Rinse Cans And Bottles Before Putting Them In Recycling

Sticky soda and sauce left inside containers feed roaches even inside the recycling bin.

Instead, Try This: Rinse each can or jar with water before placing it in the bin.

This takes less time if you use a sink sprayer attachment to rinse everything in seconds.

7. Seal Small Cracks Along Baseboards With Caulk

Little roaches squeeze through gaps as thin as a coin edge along walls and cabinets.

Begin With This: Run a line of caulk along visible cracks around baseboards and sink cabinets.

This feels easier if you use a caulking gun with sealant to close every tiny opening.

8. Keep Pet Food In Sealed Bins After Feeding Time

Dry pet kibble left out overnight becomes a feast for roaches.

Give This A Try: Feed pets at set times and store leftover food in a tight bin right away.

It will be so convenient if you use a pet food storage container with lid to keep it sealed tight.

9. Run The Dishwasher Instead Of Letting Plates Sit

Dirty plates stacked in the sink give roaches grease and crumbs for hours.

One Thing That Helps Is: Load dishes into the dishwasher right after dinner and run it before bed.

This gets easier if you use dishwasher cleaning tablets to keep the inside free from buildup.

10. Wash Grease Off The Stove Hood And Backsplash

Grease buildup behind the stove turns into hidden food that roaches love.

Use This Simple Trick: Spray degreaser on the backsplash and vent hood and wipe them clean weekly.

Picked For You:  25 Pest Control Tips That Keep Your Home Bug-Free

This gets faster if you use kitchen degreaser spray to break down sticky oil quickly.

11. Keep Bathroom Floors Dry After Showers

Moist bathroom corners give roaches both water and hiding spots.

Here’s A Low-Stress Way: Wipe the floor around the tub and toilet with a towel after showers.

This feels easier if you use a bathroom floor squeegee to push water into the drain fast.

12. Remove Cardboard Boxes From Kitchen Cabinets

Cardboard layers create dark hiding places where roaches lay egg cases.

The Easier Approach Is: Toss extra boxes and store pantry goods in plastic bins instead.

You could keep it simple if you use clear plastic storage bins with lids to limit hiding spots.

13. Clean Behind The Toilet And Around The Pipes

Dust and moisture collect behind toilets and under pipe joints where roaches hide.

To Make This Feel More Doable: Use a brush and cleaner to scrub the floor and pipe base once a week.

This is faster when you use a long handle scrub brush to reach tight spaces.

14. Place Roach Bait Stations Under Sinks And Appliances

Spray alone only kills the roaches you see, not the hidden nest.

The Most Doable Way Is: Place bait stations under sinks, behind the fridge, and near trash areas.

It will be way faster if you use roach bait stations to target the colony directly.

15. Close Gaps Around Windows And Door Frames

Small gaps around frames give roaches entry points from outside.

Here’s A Small Step That Helps: Check seals around doors and windows and replace loose strips.

This is less annoying when you use weather stripping tape to block those openings.

16. Keep Laundry Off The Floor In Baskets

Clothes piles on the floor create dark shelter spots close to walls.

To Avoid Feeling Overwhelmed: Put dirty laundry into a raised basket instead of stacking it in corners.

Picked For You:  17 Things To Stop Doing If Roaches Are In Your Plants

This gets easier if you use a mesh laundry hamper so air flows and nothing touches the floor.

17. Check Grocery Bags Before Setting Them On Counters

Roaches can hitch a ride home inside folded grocery bags.

If You’re Not Sure Where To Start: Unpack groceries on a clean table and toss paper bags right away.

This feels easier if you use reusable washable grocery bags that can be cleaned between trips.

18. Empty And Wipe Out Kitchen Drawers With Crumbs

Crumbs inside drawers sit untouched and feed hidden roaches.

The Easy Starting Point Is: Pull out one drawer tonight and vacuum and wipe it clean.

This takes less time if you use a handheld vacuum to grab crumbs quickly.

19. Schedule A Pest Inspection If Roaches Appear During The Day

Seeing roaches during the day often means the nest is large and crowded.

Here’s A Gentle Way To Start: Call a licensed pest service within one week instead of waiting it out.

It will feel less stressful if you try a local licensed pest control service to confirm the problem and set a clear plan.


📌 SAVE IT FOR LATER! 📌


Photo of author

Lily Thompson

Hey, I'm Lily! I'm a mom who's really good at two things: making life easier and sharing what works. I created ''Like Mom Said'' after one too many moments of realizing: "My mom was right about this." Turns out, a lot of that old-school wisdom still holds up... it just needs a modern spin. Think of me as your friend who's always got a tip (and coffee in hand.)