I discovered why cockroaches kept coming inside — here's how to stop them

1. Seal entry points and eliminate access

Cockroaches can't infest your home if they can't get inside, so start by inspecting both the exterior and interior for entry points and sealing them off completely.

Windows and doors are the most obvious places to check. Apply weatherstripping to doors, caulk around window frames, and fit door sweeps on all exterior doors — pay particular attention to garage doors and basement entrances, where even a small gap along the bottom is an open invitation.

Anywhere pipes, wires, or utilities enter the building is another vulnerability. Seal these penetrations with caulk or expanding foam, and don't overlook the areas under sinks where plumbing passes through walls or floors. In apartments especially, these gaps are how cockroaches travel freely between units.

The structure itself can also be a source of entry points. Cracks in foundations, walls, and baseboards should be filled. Caulk works well for smaller gaps, while a patching compound handles larger ones.

Finally, make sure any vents and drains have intact screens. Kitchen and bathroom vents, dryer vents, and crawl space vents are all potential entry points if their screens are damaged or missing.

2. Remove food and water sources completely

Eliminating what attracts cockroaches makes your home uninhabitable for them — and since even small amounts of food or water are enough to sustain a population, the standard has to be thorough.

Keep the kitchen clean on a nightly basis. Wipe down counters, sweep floors, and don't leave dirty dishes in the sink as cockroaches are most active after dark; an unwashed pan is an easy meal.

Store dry goods like cereal, pasta, and flour in airtight glass or hard plastic containers, since cockroaches chew through cardboard and thin plastic without much effort.

Manage trash carefully too. Use bins with tight-fitting lids, take them out before they overflow, and clean the cans periodically to get rid of residue and odor. Outdoor bins should be kept away from the exterior walls of your home.

Moisture matters just as much as food. Fix leaks promptly (under sinks, around toilets, behind appliances), and wipe down sinks and tubs after use so there's no standing water to draw them in.

Lastly, don't leave pet food out overnight. Feed on a schedule, put the bowls away when your pet is done, and store the food itself in a sealed container.

3. Reduce hiding spots and use barriers

Cockroaches need dark, undisturbed places to hide, so reducing clutter and applying a few simple deterrents goes a long way.

Start with storage. Replace cardboard boxes with sealed plastic bins, cockroaches eat cardboard and nest in it, and clear out piles of paper or bags that have accumulated in closets and under sinks.

Pull appliances out periodically to clean behind them too, since the warm, dark space behind a fridge or stove tends to collect exactly the kind of debris cockroaches are after.

For a passive chemical barrier, diatomaceous earth is worth keeping on hand. A thin line along baseboards, around pipes, and under appliances damages cockroaches' exoskeletons when they walk through it. It's non-toxic to people and pets.

Place bay leaves in cabinets and pantries round out the approach. Cockroaches avoid the scent, making them a simple, non-toxic deterrent. When the scent fades, simply swap them out for fresh ones.