Signs Cockroaches Are Living in Your Drains: Our Simple Checklist
We know that a cockroach sighting in your drains is very confronting. However, it’s worth noting that one or two cockroaches don’t mean that there’s an entire infestation. There are many signs other than a rare sighting which indicate a cockroach problem in your kitchen. While a professional opinion is the bottom line, it’s important to be aware of infestation warning signs.
See these below:
- Cockroaches appearing near sinks, showers or floor wastes, mostly at night
- A musty or oily smell around drains that wasn’t there before
- Small dark droppings, like pepper or coffee grounds, near drain openings
- Shed skins or egg cases under sinks or behind the toilet
- Cockroaches seen during the day, indicating a larger population
- Cockroach egg casings (think a snake shedding its old skin)
Still Not Sure? Here’s a Quick and Easy Cockroach Test You Can Do
It can be difficult to recall whether you’ve spotted one sign, a few, or even none at all. In this case, a DIY cockroach method can be an easy way to determine the presence of an infestation. All you need on-hand is some clear roll of tape.
- Wait until night-time (cockroaches are more active)
- Cut a piece of clear tap long enough to cover a drain
- Place the piece of tape across the opening of the drain
- Leave overnight
- Inspect for cockroach marks or any cockroaches stuck
*If you’ve detected signs of a cockroach inspection, or cockroach activity from your DIY test, contact our pest controllers. It’s important to take fast action to prevent the pests from breeding, and the infestation from worsening.
Why are Cockroaches Coming From Drains?
Whether you’ve noticed one, or more cockroaches scuttling out of the drains, it can be very confronting. Many homeowners may even find themselves speculating whether the kitchen is not clean enough. However, the simple answer is that your kitchen drains provide everything that cockroaches need to survive.
See why below:
Sewers Are Their Natural Home
The underground sewerage system has conditions that cockroaches naturally thrive in. This is because of the combined damp environment, warm temperatures and darkness for them to hide in. When they can easily survive in these conditions, it’s no surprise that these pests then travel up the drains.
Moisture and Warmth
Cockroaches dehydrate quickly, which is why they seek out humid spaces. This is precisely why cockroaches in bathrooms, laundries, kitchens and other warm areas is so common. There are many reasons behind this, including higher levels of condensation, heat from appliances and plumbing leaks.
Food Residue in Pipes
When cooking, food residue naturally falls through the kitchen drain. Over-time, this waste naturally accumulates through the drains. This then results in extensive residue which provides a reliable food source for cockroaches. It causes cockroaches to be drawn to the kitchen drains.
Easy Entry Points
Dry P-Traps
The U-bend under a sink or shower holds water that seals out sewer gases and pests. In spare bathrooms or rarely used floor wastes, this water evaporates and leaves the door wide open. This then allows for the entry of cockroaches and other pests through to the plumbing opening.
Cracked or Ageing Pipes
Older homes often have earthenware or deteriorating pipes with gaps at the joints. Cockroaches can squeeze through cracks even just a few mm wide. This is because these pests have a soft abdomen for them to compress and as a result, be able to squeeze through holes.
Uncovered Drains and Gaps
When drains aren’t properly covered, or there are certain gaps in walls, these provide simple entryways for cockroaches. These openings are a discrete exit direct from the sewer network. It’s precisely why the right preventative methods must be taken for drains and gaps.
How to: Stop Cockroaches from Coming Up Your Drains
To prevent cockroaches from climbing up drains, the most effective method is likely to be prevention. It’s important to both block the entry of the pests, and also remove what is attracting them to the drains. However, before methods are explored, it’s important to conduct a diagnosis.
Roach Diagnosis
To help determine how cockroaches are entering your home, evaluate a few factors. While this won’t provide a guaranteed diagnosis, this can give you an idea of which areas to target.
✔ Look out for any plumbing leaks, such as a dripping pipe
✔ Observe the food waste that goes down the drains
✔ Evaluate whether either sink drainers, or your drains are loose
✔ Inspect the P-trap for a compromised water seal
✔ Observe for any cockroach after a hot shower, or other humidity
Navigate Plumbing Prevention Methods
a) Block the Entryway
If you suspect that the cockroach problem is related to a clear pathway, this is your best bet. By directly interfering with a potential drain opening, it lowers or even eradicates a cockroach presence.
- Fit Drain Covers: Use fine mesh or one-way silicone covers on shower drains, laundry tubs and floor wastes. It’s best to cover drains overnight for when cockroaches are the most active.
- Keep Water Traps Full: Run water in spare showers, sinks and floor wastes for 30 seconds each week. By doing so, this provides a solid barrier that stops cockroaches from entering the p-trap.
- Seal Gaps Around Pipes: Fill gaps where pipes enter walls and cabinets with copper mesh, then seal with silicone or expanding foam. The sealant used depends on the size of the gap, silicone is best for smaller ones, while foam is suitable for larger holes.
b) Remove the Attraction
Oftentimes, food waste that’s left to linger, or mistakenly flushed down the drains can be the sole culprit behind this. By proactively removing waste from your environment, this stops roaches.
- Clean Drains Weekly: If you’ve recently discovered a loose drain cover, this method is ideal. Flush the drains with hot (not boiling) tap water and a drain cleaner to break down any grease and food buildup.
- Fix Leaks Promptly: By leaving leaks to linger, you’re providing high moisture conditions ideal for cockroaches to fester in. Instead, repair pipe leaks and dripping taps as soon as possible. It’s best to contact a plumber and apply a patch over it in the meantime.
- Maintain Kitchen Hygiene: Avoid leaving rubbish or dirty dishes near the sink overnight. These food scraps act as a reliable food source for cockroaches to feed on. Instead, clear away dishes into a dishwasher and place scraps into the bin.
When DIY Cockroach Control Can’t Replace Professional Expertise
While exploring DIY methods is a cost-effective way to approach roaches, it doesn’t provide an accurate diagnosis. A professional pest controller is equipped with the right knowledge, expertise and pest inspection tools and technology. This allows them to provide a prompt and effective diagnosis of what’s behind cockroaches entering through drains.
An expert approach is more likely to provide a long-term solution to cockroaches. They’ll be able to recommend professional cockroach control measures. This then keeps your home secure and protected, it helps prevent these pests from returning for greater peace of mind.
Why All Pest Free Can Help
With years spent servicing homes and businesses in Sydney, it’s no surprise that our pest control company is a trusted choice. Our team consists of fully licensed and qualified pest controllers. We’ll conduct a comprehensive pest inspection process to pinpoint cockroach activity and the cause of it. This is followed by our targeted cockroach pest control which involves safe yet professional-grade solutions.
Ready to Get Drains Back to Normal? Contact Us for Cockroach Control
Cockroaches coming from drains are frustrating, but through taking the right measures it’s completely fixable. Start with drain covers, full water traps and regular cleaning. If they keep coming back, you don’t have to deal with it alone. Our All Pest Free inspection process is designed to find the roaches to pinpoint a suitable treatment for your home.
FAQS
How are Cockroaches Able to Climb Up Shower Drains?
Cockroaches are strong climbers and easily scale the inside of pipes, especially rough older ones. The pests grip the grime inside the pipe with their clawed feet, crawl past the U-bend when its water has dried up, and squeeze through the gaps in the drain cover.
Why Do I See More Cockroaches After Rain?
Following heavy rain-fall, the sewer and stormwater drainage systems become blocked. This causes cockroaches, particularly Australian and American, to seek out dry shelter. Whether there’s easy entry through a shower drain, gap in the wall, or elsewhere, this is when cockroaches are likely to enter.
