10 Ways to Keep Cockroaches Away from Your Kitchen Drawers

Cockroaches are pests that are found in almost every home. It usually lives in cramped and dark places. The kitchen is a perfect place for it. Because on the one hand, it gets food here, and on the other hand, it gets a chance to live in the drawers.

Cockroaches are not only annoying, but it also spoils the food in the kitchen and spread bacteria. If you cannot control it properly on time, it will fill your kitchen and home with breeding.

So, controlling it is very important. In this guide, we will discuss how to get rid of cockroaches from the kitchen.

Here are 12 simple and effective ways to keep cockroaches out of your kitchen drawers.

The Reasons Cockroaches Prefer Your Kitchen Drawers

Cockroaches love dark and damp places. That’s why your kitchen drawers are one of their favorite spots to hide.

Cockroaches love hanging out in your kitchen drawers because of all the little food crumbs, greasy spots, and even the glue that holds your furniture together.

Once cockroaches get inside, they can multiply quickly. That’s why it’s important to deal with them as soon as you notice a problem.

If you know what attracts cockroaches, you can take simple steps to keep them out of your kitchen drawers and enjoy a cleaner, pest-free kitchen.

Here are a few simple but effective methods that you can apply.

1. Always Keep Your Drawers Clean

If you want to keep cockroaches out of your kitchen drawers, the first thing you need to do is clean the drawers well. Cockroaches love crumbs, grease, and leftover food.

Take everything out of your drawers. Scrub and clean them with warm, soapy water. Make sure to clean the corners and small spaces where crumbs can hide.

If you find any tough grease, try cleaning that spot using baking soda, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, or a borax solution. Remember, a clean drawer means no cockroaches. This formula not only works for kitchen drawers but also for your home.

2. Seal Every Crack & Gap

Cockroaches can enter through microscopic gaps as small as a centimeter. Check your drawers and cabinets of the kitchen to find any cracks, gaps, or holes.

If you find small gaps, seal them up very well with caulk. For larger holes, especially the ones around pipes or wires, try using steel wool or other items to block them.

By sealing up cracks in your kitchen, you can easily block cockroaches from getting inside.

3. Use Airtight Containers for Pantry Staples

If you have cockroaches in your kitchen, there is 90% possibility that they will be looking for food in your drawers and cabinets.

So, to prevent that, try putting essential food items of your pantry like flour, sugar, cereal, and even your pet’s food into airtight containers.

Not only does this simple tip keep the pesky cockroaches out, but it also helps your food stay fresh longer.

Don’t leave food in thin or torn packaging, since pests can easily get in.

4. Try Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth is a natural powder that is safe for both people and pets, but it works really well to get rid of cockroaches.

Just sprinkle it in and around your drawers, especially in those little cracks or spots where you think cockroaches might be sneaking in.

The powder works by drying out their exoskeletons, which gets rid of them.

This is one of the best natural ways to keep cockroaches away from your kitchen.

5. Use Bay Leaves in Your Drawers

Cockroaches dislike the smell of bay leaves. Place a few bay leaves in your kitchen drawers as a simple and natural way to help keep them away.

I recommend replacing the bay leaves every 7-10 days to keep them effective.

It’s such a simple, chemical-free trick to help keep those pesky cockroaches out of your kitchen drawers.

If you have your own bay leaf tree, or if it is available and cheap in your local shop or market, I recommend you continue using this method. I personally prefer this.

6. Use a Few Drops of Essential Oil

If you’re looking for a natural way to keep cockroaches out, try using essential oils like peppermint, eucalyptus, or tea tree oil. They work surprisingly well! You will find many essential oil brands online or in your local shop.

Just mix about 12-15 drops of your chosen oil with some water in a spray bottle, then give the inside of your drawers a quick spritz.

Not only does this help keep those pesky bugs away, but your kitchen will smell amazing, too! The essential oils are also used to make the home smell good.

7. Apply Cockroach Traps

Sticky traps and bait stations are very useful for monitoring cockroaches and reducing their numbers.

Place traps near drawers, under sinks, and along baseboards, as these are common hiding spots for cockroaches.

These traps attract and catch cockroaches, helping you find problem spots and take the right steps to deal with them.

8. Try Keeping Your Kitchen Dry

Cockroaches are always looking for water. If you get rid of extra moisture, you make it much harder for them to stick around in your kitchen drawers.

Start by fixing any leaky pipes. Wipe down your sinks and counters after use. If your kitchen still feels damp, try using a dehumidifier.

Keeping your kitchen dry makes it much less inviting for cockroaches.

9. Make Your Drawers Clutter-Free

Cockroaches love to hide in cluttered spaces, so it’s important to keep things tidy.

Go through your drawers and remove anything you don’t need, such as old takeout menus, spare batteries, unused or expired spice packets, outdated manuals/warranties, or utensils you never use.

The cleaner and more organized your drawers are, the fewer places cockroaches will have to hide.

10. Add Drawer Liners

Try using vinyl or plastic liners in your drawers. They’re really easy to clean and help keep everything neat.

I’d prefer not to use paper liners. They have a tendency to retain moisture and may even draw insects, which is undesirable!

Drawer liners make cleaning your drawers easier and can help keep cockroaches away.

Get Help from Professionals

If you’ve tried all the above tips & tricks and those cockroaches are still showing up in your kitchen drawers, I recommend getting some professional help.

Professional pest control experts can figure out where those pests are coming from, get rid of them perfectly, and help you keep your kitchen roach-free in the future.

The above 10 simple ways will help you keep your kitchen clean, organized, and free from pests. If you love this guide, feel free to share.

Read also:

15 Practical Tips to Keep the Kitchen Clean and Organized