The idea of a cockroach crawling out of your bathtub, shower, or toilet drain is nightmare material for just about anyone. While it’s not a pleasant thought to consider, homeowners should be aware that, unfortunately, it can happen.
Sewer roaches are actually just common nicknames for larger cockroaches that prefer to live in damp, humid indoor conditions. In Florida homes, this is typically the American cockroach and the Oriental cockroach.
Learn how these cockroaches can enter your home and why drains can be a target, as well as some of the steps you can take to keep them out.
How Do Sewer Roaches Get In?
Despite sometimes being referred to as sewer roaches, cockroaches can enter properties in many ways, including right through your doors and windows. Believe it or not, cockroaches can travel at approximately three miles per hour, so it wouldn’t be out of the question for one to scuttle indoors without being noticed.
Aside from the obvious entry points, the size and shape of cockroaches makes it easy for them to exploit other entrances to your home. They may also use areas near the home for shelter before they find their way in.
Doors, garages, and outdoor access points
- Open doors and windows
- Garages and external cellar or basement doors
- Gaps in weatherstripping
Cracks and exterior gaps
- Utility lines
- Doors
- Windows
- Vents
- Building foundations
- Damaged screens
Gaps around pipes and drains
- Openings around plumbing lines
- Damaged drain covers
- Poorly sealed pipe penetrations
Transferring from outdoor areas
- Hiding in damp mulch and leaf litter
- Stored items and cluttered areas
- Outdoor drains
Why Cockroaches Are Drawn to Bathrooms and Drains
The reason that cockroaches are often associated with bathrooms and drains is because they thrive in damp, humid conditions. However, in Florida, this can also be a drawback as the native climate can make any environment an ideal habitat for them.
Floor drains can easily become a target of roach activity. Cockroaches don’t need much to survive, apart from food, water, and shelter, and their food sources can be pretty much any organic material, including hair and decaying substances. Soap build up and clogged bathroom drains can provide all of the key sources a roach needs to survive.
Additionally, drains that are rarely used can be exploited. When out of use, they can dry out, reducing the water barrier that can help block pests and sewer gases from coming up. Keep this in mind for guest bathrooms, outdoor drains, and lesser-used utility rooms.
How to Stop Cockroaches From Getting In
As they can enter your home in a variety of ways, the key to preventing cockroaches from entering your home—as with many other types of pest—involves checking and maintaining your property, year-round. This means fixing any gaps in entry points around pipes and weatherstripping, and repairing any damage to screens.
Reduce Moisture and Build-up
It’s always tempting to avoid cleaning up as you go when you’re busy at home, but keeping surfaces clean and dry helps to prevent unwanted pests from gathering.
Regular maintenance to keep in mind:
- Keep kitchen and bathroom sinks and drains clean and free from soap or food build-up
- Clean up standing water
- Repair damaged seals around sinks, showers, and bathtubs
- Fix leaks and cracks in pipes
- Use ventilation to manage humidity
- Replace or fit drain covers
Running water periodically in those less frequently used drains to flush the pipes can help keep roaches away. Although there can sometimes be cockroaches in sewers, they are not able to swim.
Make the Home Less Attractive to Cockroaches
Taking away the three things a cockroach needs to live will make your home a less viable option. You can do this both indoors and outdoors:
- Clean up food, crumbs and drink spills immediately
- Store food, pet food, and dry goods securely in sealed containers
- Ensure trash is removed regularly and away from the home when outdoors
- Clear mulch and leaf piles outdoors
- Remove indoor and outdoor clutter and storage
Professional Cockroach Control For Peace of Mind
Unfortunately, a cockroach sighting in your home is usually a sign of more to come. They communicate with others through pheromones and tend to gather quickly, and can breed at alarmingly fast rates.
Our pest control experts will assist you with everything from inspection and identification to cockroach treatment or extermination, and ongoing prevention. Get in touch with the team to discuss your requirements.
