Cockroaches Taking Over Your Dishwasher? Fix It Now
Finding cockroaches invading and breeding inside your dishwasher is a disturbing sight. The good news is that with some effort, you can get rid of dishwasher-dwelling roaches and prevent future infestations.
What Attracts Cockroaches to Dishwashers
Cockroaches are resourceful creatures attracted to food and water. A warm, moist dishwasher full of tiny food particles makes an ideal habitat.
Food Particles
Cockroaches feed on food debris. Tiny specks of food left on dishes or trapped in the drain after a wash cycle serve as a food source. Bits of grease, starches, proteins and sugars are a delicious feast.
To avoid luring roaches, thoroughly scrape and rinse dishes before loading. Remove large leftovers and food buildup. Run the dishwasher immediately rather than leaving dirty dishes overnight. This denies roaches the chance to sneak in first.
Stagnant Water
Plumbing leaks, clogs, and poor drainage cause water to pool inside, creating the damp environment cockroaches need to thrive. Make repairs to eliminate standing water.
Additionally, roaches lay their egg casings near moisture. If the drying cycle doesn't completely evaporate the interior, it welcomes roaches to move in and reproduce.
Buildup of Grime Over Time
Even in a well-cared for dishwasher, grease, food, hard water stains, and soap scum accumulate. As debris builds up on filters and along crevices, the machine becomes more hospitable for roaches.
Use vinegar or dishwasher cleaning solutions regularly to dissolve buildup before it gets out of hand. Deep clean neglected dishwashers before cockroaches settle in.
Preventing Cockroach Infestations
Stop roaches before they start by keeping your dishwasher clean, dry, and free of food remnants after every use:
- Clean the filter and interior weekly using vinegar or dishwasher cleaner
- Remove chunks of food trapped in the drain after each cycle
- Repair leaks, damage, and clogs to prevent standing water
- Ensure the interior dries completely so no moisture remains
- Rinse dishes and remove large leftovers before adding them to the dishwasher
- Run cycles frequently as dirty dishes allow odors and food residue to linger
Signs of an Existing Cockroach Problem
Evidence that roaches have already made themselves at home include:
- Visible live or dead cockroaches inside dishwasher
- Brownish fluid streaks on interior walls from crushed roaches
- Cockroach egg cases or droppings in hard to reach crevices
- Roach odor
- Greasy trails along edges of the dishwasher tub and racks left by cockroaches
Entry Points for Cockroaches
Cockroaches flatten their bodies to fit through absurdly small cracks and crevices. Carefully seal off all possible access routes:
- Replace old, cracked door seals
- Look for gaps between door panels and tighten any loose screws
- Caulk gaps in dishwasher casing or openings for hoses and wiring
- Make sure kickplate sits flush and limits space underneath
Getting Rid of Cockroaches in Dishwashers
Eradicating an established roach colony takes diligence, but roaches can be eliminated without a professional.
Remove Roaches Manually
Start by manually eliminating roaches you spot inside the dishwasher:
- Unlatch and remove front access panel
- Use stiff brush or vacuum crevice tool to extract roaches and debris from hard to reach corners
- Wipe down all surfaces to eliminate roach odor, waste, and trails
- Replace access panel and ensure door seals tightly
Traps and Baits
For an underlying infestation living in voids around the dishwasher, use roach bait stations and traps. Look for boric acid or hydramethylnon baits specifically formulated for cockroaches.
Place traps along back edges, near plumbing and wiring holes where roaches originate. Use enough bait stations to surround all possible harborages.
Seal Off Entry Points
While traps reduce the existing population, be sure to permanently seal off entryways at the same time to prevent new roaches from invading.
After a thorough extermination, roach populations can recover in just 2-3 months if you neglect this crucial step!
Preventing Future Infestations
Regular cleaning and drying are key to keeping cockroaches away long-term:
- Weekly cleaning using vinegar and water helps dissolve buildup
- Ensure the dishwasher drains fully and no moisture remains inside after cycles
- Dry any standing water left in the bottom from condensation or leaks
- Run dishwasher frequently without dishes to keep interior clean
- Rinse food debris thoroughly off dishes before washing
- Fix any seals, gaps, or cracks roaches could use to enter
When to Call A Professional
If you still see roach activity after aggressively baiting and sealing entryways, professional help may be needed. Additionally, an exterminator should handle extreme cases:
- Large recurring populations that outpace your own efforts
- Nests you cannot locate or reach within appliance voids
- Access to stronger poisons and growth regulators
- Pinpointing and sealing challenging entryways
With diligence and preventative maintenance of your dishwasher, even the most stubborn roach infestations can be conquerable.
How do I clean my dishwasher to prevent roaches?
Clean dishwasher interiors regularly using either vinegar, baking soda, or dishwasher cleaning solutions. Target buildup in hard to reach areas. Clean door seals, filters, and the drain to remove food particles.
What are signs of a cockroach infestation?
Visible roaches, droppings, egg casings, foul odor, greasy smears, and brown fluid streaks from crushed roaches indicate an established infestation. Finding one or two roaches can mean a much larger hidden population is present.
Will fixing my dishwasher get rid of roaches?
Repairing leaks and improving drainage denies roaches the damp environment they need. However, eliminating roaches requires additional steps like baiting, trapping, sealing entry points, and cleaning to remove food sources. Tackle all inviting conditions to chase roaches away for good!