How to Get Rid of Cockroaches in Kitchen Cabinets? 17 Methods

Cockroaches are highly disgusting by nature. It feels sickening to see them in your house, leave alone inside your kitchen cabinets. At the worst, they can cause food contamination and diseases.

Nonetheless, you will always find them where you prepare and keep your food. A study done in 2021 indicates that there were cockroaches in 14 million house units in America.

Cockroaches in your cabinets make things complicated since you may not want to spray toxic chemicals in your kitchen.

So, how do you get rid of these annoying pests?

Thankfully, there are numerous DIY methods that help you reach all the hiding places of roaches. You can use these to deter and kill cockroaches from your kitchen cabinets.

In this article, I will take you through several DIY methods to help you get rid of cockroaches.

JUMP TO: NATURAL METHODS | COMMERCIAL METHOD | CLEANING AFTERCARE

About Cockroaches

Do you know that a cockroach feels comfortable when something simultaneously touches its belly and back?

This explains why you will find them hiding in the cracks and crevices of your kitchen cabinet.

Other than the touch, you will find cockroaches in such places because:

they love dark and closed places
the kitchen cabinet is their food sources
their nocturnal nature only allows them to come out at night
kitchen cabinets hardly lack food crumbs and spills
many people hardly take time to do deep cleaning of their cabinets

Cockroaches are stubborn, and they multiply at a fast rate. Consequently, it only takes a short while for them to multiply and fill not only your cabinet but your whole kitchen.

Some types are also resistant to some pest control methods and may force you to seek professional help to get rid of them.

The good news; however, is that you can use various methods to control and even kill roaches.

Fastest Ways of Getting Rid of Cockroaches in Your Kitchen Cabinet {Natural Methods}

The following are the best natural methods:

Use Bay Leaves

Bay leaves are a natural way of controlling cockroaches. They emit a strong smell that repels cockroaches and other insects.

Important Note: The smell of bay leaves doesn’t kill cockroaches but only deters them.

You can easily get bay leaves from your local grocery shop.

Simply stick a few leaves in your cabinet. If you realize the smell is fading away after a few days, replace them with fresh ones.

Although the smell helps keep insects away, it’s fine for humans. There are several In fact, the scent leaves your cabinet smelling fresh.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is effective in repelling cockroaches. According to its proponents, it works better if you mix it with water and vinegar.

Put the mixture in a spray bottle, then spray around the areas you’ve seen roaches.

However, my research has established that some reviewers don’t agree with this opinion. According to these users, tea tree oil is not strong to repel or even kill roaches.

From my findings, tea tree oil may not be among the best cockroach control methods to deal with cockroaches.

Borax and Sugar

Many homeowners know Borax powder as a cleaning product. It mainly helps in cleaning mold and reducing mildew.

However, Borax powder is also effective in exterminating cockroaches.

What makes it highly effective is that it slowly dries the exoskeleton of the cockroaches. This affects their digestive system and eventually kills them.

To kill cockroaches, mix Borax and sugar in a 3:1 ratio. Clean your cabinet with the mixture, then sprinkle some of it inside.

Caution: Handle Borax with care because it can be toxic if you ingest it or it gets absorbed through the skin.

As a precautionary measure:

Wear gloves before using it
After use, wash your hands thoroughly with soap
If it gets into contact with your body, change your clothes and wash them.

Important Note: Borax requires re-application, tracking down, and removing the dead roach bodies.

Diatomaceous Earth (de)

Diatomaceous Earth is a natural pesticide from fossilized diatoms’ fossil remains. A study done in May 2014 recommends it for killing stubborn cockroaches such as the German cockroaches.

Each molecule of this home remedy is as sharp as a razor, which gives it a 100% mortality rate on roaches. It works by drying out the cockroaches’ exoskeletons, thus killing them instantly. It also dehydrates the eggs and the adult cockroaches.

There’s more…

Diatomaceous Earth is non-toxic, but if a cockroach manages to crawl to where other cockroaches are, it spreads it to them, killing them also.

Important Note: Diatomaceous Earth is only meant to kill. It does not repel cockroaches; for that, you may require to take other measures.

This home remedy is easy to find. You can get it at your local retailer or local hardware store.

How do you use it?

Simply sprinkle a light coating on the areas you’ve noticed cockroaches.

Caution: Although this powder isn’t toxic, you may feel respiratory discomfort if you inhale it. Wear a mask when spreading it.

Baking Soda

Are you looking for a faster method of getting rid of cockroaches?

Baking soda will help you achieve that faster and easier. A study done in 2013 shows cockroaches die within 12-14 hours if you use baking soda.

To make a cockroach bait with baking soda, sprinkle it on some diced onions. Place the onions strategically where you’ve seen roaches.

How does it work?

Immediately after the roaches ingest it, they develop gases in their stomachs, which causes them to burst and die.

Important Note: For higher efficacy of this method, change the onions every 2-3 days.

According to a study done in the United States of America, the best bait for cockroaches is raw yellow onions. This is because:

they have a strong scent that distracts roaches from the smell of baking soda
their color isn’t affected by that of baking soda
they lack sufficient water content that can activate the baking soda
their juice is thicker hence easily masks the flavor of baking soda

You can also opt to make a mixture of baking soda and sugar. In this formula, sugar acts as bait while baking soda serves to kill the roaches. Sugar also helps to mask the unpleasant smell of baking soda.

Mothballs

Mothballs are an easy and effective way to keep cockroaches away from your kitchen cabinet.

They derive their effectiveness from their powerful smell produced by an organic compound called naphthalene. This smell is pungent to cockroaches, and it keeps them away.

However, you can only use mothballs for a year because roaches get used to the smell. Consequently, you can only use them to prevent roaches partially.

If you want to be more effective, combine this with other methods.

Identify the areas that roaches have infested and place two or three balls there. The strong smell blocks the respiratory system of the cockroaches, suffocating them to death.

Caution: The pungent smell of mothballs isn’t good for people also. As such, keep them away from food storage and preparation areas.

Peppermint Oil

Peppermint oil ranks among the best cockroach control deterrents on the market. It acts as a natural cockroach repellant and is also toxic to them.

Peppermint oil spray is also non-toxic, so you need not worry as you use it in your kitchen cabinets. It’s safe for your children. However, take note that it doesn’t kill roaches; it only keeps them away.

Mix peppermint oil with water in a ratio of 1.5:1, then spray the mixture on all infested areas.

A study done in 2006 showed that essential oil can cause an 86% reduction of cockroaches. The study also indicates that the residual effect after the initial spray can last up to a week.

Dish Detergent

Dish detergent, especially liquid soap, contains additives that enable it to cut through grease and kill bacteria. Similarly, it’s harsh towards cockroaches; it penetrates their spiracles and prevents air from entering the trachea. Eventually, the cockroach dies of suffocation.

However, some cockroach types might be a bit persistent. This is especially so with American cockroaches. You may have to spray regularly to get good results.

On the other hand, the German cockroach is more susceptible and easy to kill using a dish detergent. According to a study done in 2002, when common dishwashing detergent is applied to German cockroaches directly, they die within 72 hours.

But why use dish detergent?

it’s readily available in most local stores
it’s cheap to get
it’s non-toxic to human beings and animals

To prepare an effective formula, add enough detergent to break the water’s surface tension into a spray bottle. Shake the mixture thoroughly until the water and dish soap dissolves, then spray on the infested areas.

Coffee Grounds

Do you know that you can use coffee grounds to deter cockroaches from your cabinet?

Naturally, coffee grounds have a scent that attracts roaches. You can take advantage of this attraction to get rid of cockroaches in your cabinet.

This method is natural, 100% safe, and inexpensive.

All you need to do is:

place the coffee grounds in small paper cups
fill some jars with water and place a paper cup inside each jar
place the jars at cabinet corners where roaches frequent most
the coffee scent will lure the roaches into the jars, and they won’t be able to escape
Remember to empty the jars the following day to get rid of the roaches
repeat the process each day till all cockroaches are gone

Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is another common home remedy for roaches. Cleaning your cabinets with a mixture of lemon and water goes a long way in deterring roaches.

Lemon contains limonene, which has anti-pathogenic properties that are a great repellant for roaches.

However, citrus oil essential oils fall under what essential oil connoisseurs call top notes. This categorization means that they evaporate quickly. In fact, limonene itself evaporates in about two-thirds of the time that water evaporates.

How do you use it?

Sprinkle lemon juice inside those hard-to-reach areas of the cabinet that are roach-infested. Alternatively, dip a cloth into a lemon and water mixture and use it to wipe your cabinet. Ensure that the mixture has a strong lemon smell.

Your cabinet will have a lovely smell for you but a repellant one for cockroaches.

Why use lemon juice?

it’s effective in repelling roaches
it’s easily accessible
it’s ideal for homes with kids and pets since it’s non-toxic

Boric Acid

Boric acid is yet another full-proof method to get rid of roaches in 2-3 days. It is a natural compound made up of boron and water, which is sprinkled all over the kitchen cabinets, below the kitchen sink, below the refrigerator, and all other hiding places in the kitchen.

Well, the best part of boric acid is it is not harmful to humans or pets. However, the usage of boric acid powder can make your kitchen messy and dirty which needs cleaning immediately.

Cleaning

The presence of cockroaches in your cabinets doesn’t necessarily mean they are untidy. However, it could signal that something is attracting them.

Cleaning your cabinets thoroughly and ensuring there are no food residues goes a long way in keeping off roaches.

My research shows that cleaning alone is not enough to deter roaches from your cabinets. You may still have to explore and apply other measures to eliminate them.

Moreover, other factors may cause roach infestation in your kitchen cabinets. One of these is that some areas are prone to cockroaches. If you live in such places, you will likely face a roaches problem even when your cabinets are clean.

Use Glue Traps

Glue traps will help you monitor the number of roaches in your cabinet. Cockroaches breed prodigiously, making it difficult to catch all of them.

Glue traps help to trap and kill cockroaches. The smell of the trap attracts cockroaches into it. However, use this method in conjunction with other methods for effective results.

A report by NYC professionals shows that sticky traps fail to address the source of the roach infestation. According to the report, you can use these traps to get information on the type and number of roaches in your house.

Glue traps are safe; however, you will need to hide them from the reach of children.

Tip: For effectiveness, monitor the trap for a few days, then change position and replace it when it’s filled with dead roaches.

De-clutter and Sanitize Your Cabinets

It’s normal to find our cabinets full of food we do not intend to eat. Such food amounts to clutter and a conducive attraction to cockroaches.

Moreover, there will be spilled food particles and debris that have accumulated over time. This debris and crumbs also act as a big attraction to roaches.

When was the last time you took the time to do a detailed cleaning of your cabinet?

We mainly tend to run away from this because it’s time-consuming. However, it’s among the effective ways you can use to get rid of roaches from your kitchen cabinets.

Go shelf by shelf and wipe down any food remains or spills. In addition, throw away any food in the cabinet you do not intend to eat to minimize the clutter.

Getting rid of clutter will deprive cockroaches of any hiding place. Consequently, it will force them to keep off your kitchen cabinets.

Eliminate Hiding Places in the Cabinet

Our kitchen cabinets act as safe havens for cockroaches because they are dark and secluded. Moreover, they usually have several small crevices and cracks where roaches can hide comfortably.

Remember that roaches have flat bodies and can comfortably squeeze themselves in tiny cracks.

With the help of a caulk gun, you can effectively deal with this problem. Use it to seal every crack in all your kitchen cabinets.

By doing so, you will have denied cockroaches their hiding places. Additionally, if any cockroaches were hiding in the crevices, you will have trapped them inside, killing them there.

This method is cheap, effective, and safe for you and your family.

Can cockroaches eat through caulking?

No, cockroaches cannot eat through caulk. However, the best caulk to use is silicon-based sealant because it hardens fast and can last for about 20 years.

Important Note: Caulk wears out over time; consequently, check the cracks and crevices routinely.

Eliminate Water and Moisture

Roaches only require a tiny drop of moisture to thrive. If you can deny them that chance, you will minimize their chances of survival.

But it’s not only in the kitchen cabinets; you also need to dry water from your house:

address any plumbing leaks
dry any areas of dampness
dry kitchen sinks at night

Seal Your Garbage

Cockroaches also thrive well where there is garbage. In fact, garbage is one of the attractions of roaches.

If you don’t take proper care of your garbage, you will always have roaches in your cabinets.

These three actions plans will help you:

take out the trash daily, mainly before going to bed
keep the garbage can tightly covered at all times
keep the garbage can clean, especially when it doesn’t have trash

Other DIY Methods

Use Commercial Pesticides and Killer Sprays.

Besides the natural methods of getting rid of cockroaches, you can also use commercial pesticides.

There are many cockroach killer sprays on the market today. You can get them easily from your local grocery stores, and they will do the job effectively.

However, commercial pesticides are toxic. They can cause harm to you, your pets, and your kids if inhaled. Consequently, you will need to be more careful when using them in your house.

Moreover, avoid spraying them close to foods, especially when spraying your kitchen cabinet. They can cause food poisoning.

One of the common commercial pesticides is cinema dust. Although it’s an insecticide, its effects are more physical than chemical.

It’s a commercial insecticide that you can spray your kitchen cabinets without the risk of toxic substances.

Cinema dust kills cockroaches by damaging their exoskeleton and causing them to dry up.

The good news is that this dust can kill roaches for up to 10 years.

Which are the Best Cockroach Killers?

Some of the best cockroach killers include:

Ortho Home Insect Killer
Raid Ant & Roach Killer
Black Roach Motel Insect killer
Combat Max insect killer

How Do You Get Rid of a Heavy Cockroach Infestation in Kitchen Cabinets?

If your cabinets have been heavily infested with cockroaches, I advise that you focus heavy cleaning efforts where your trap catches nymphs.

Moreover, you can use hot air from your hair dryer to flush out cockroaches from their hiding places. You can then suck them up as their move from their hideouts. A vacuum with a HEPA filter will work better.

Professional Exterminator – When to Call for a Professional Terminator

At times, you may find yourself having to call a professional roach exterminator or pest control services. Three such situations are:

If you see large numbers of cockroaches running around everywhere
If you are unsure of what products to use
If cockroaches have become resistant to chemicals over time

A good professional roach management expert can help deal with the problem once and for all.

The other importance of a pest control professional is that they deal with the problem indoors and outdoors.

However, this method is quite costly, and you may have to part with an upfront payment.

How Do You Clean Kitchen Cabinets After Pest Control?

The roach sprays I have listed above are toxic to the nervous system. After using them, you will need to clean your kitchen cabinets carefully before using them again.

Thankfully, the procedure is straightforward, mix water and dish soap and mop the cabinets with a clean cloth.

Do not mop the walls around. If you do, any roaches remaining will be able to roam freely.

However, take note of the following safety precautions as you clean the cabinets:

discard any food that you may have forgotten to cover before you sprayed
do not clean immediately; wait for 2-3 hours after the initial spraying
protect yourself by wearing protective hand gloves as you clean the sprayed surfaces for the first time

Aftercare- Controlling Cockroach Infestation

After getting rid of roaches from your kitchen cabinet, you definitely don’t want to see them return.

To achieve this, you will need to observe several aftercare precautions. I have listed some of them here:

ensure you check your kitchen cabinet at night to see if there are any cockroaches
use airtight glass or plastic containers to store food
clean up all pet food in your kitchen
keep your garbage can sealed at all times, and if possible, take it out, especially before you go to sleep
clean up spills and crumbs in your kitchen cabinets quickly
keep the kitchen and the cabinets dry