If you’ve spotted a cockroach crawling out of your kitchen sink or slinking around your bathroom drains, you’re not alone. These pests are drawn to the warm, moist environment of your plumbing system. For homeowners in South Louisiana, where humidity is high and roaches thrive year-round, dealing with an infestation in your drains can feel like an uphill battle.
Let’s walk through targeted steps to help clean out your drains, seal off access, and regain peace in your home.
Key Takeaways
• Boiling water and baking soda with vinegar clean out the drain buildup and make your sink less inviting.
• Drain covers, caulk, and garbage disposal cleaning keep cockroaches from crawling in through pipes or plumbing crevices.
• Leaky faucets, dirty stoppers, and food waste offer cockroaches water and food sources they need to survive.
• Persistent cockroach problems often mean it’s time to call a plumber and a local pest control service provider.
Boil and Flush the Drain
To kill roaches, start with the basics: Pour boiling water down your kitchen drain or bathroom sinks. This helps break up food particles and grease buildup while flushing them out.
Be cautious with PVC drain pipes. Wait a few seconds after boiling to prevent damage.
Use Baking Soda and Vinegar
This tried-and-true DIY mix can work wonders for roach control. Pour half a cup of baking soda, followed by a cup of white vinegar, down the sink drain.
The bubbling reaction scrubs away grime and reduces odors, making the space less inviting for roaches. Follow with hot water to finish the job.
Deep Clean Your Garbage Disposal
Your garbage disposal is ground zero for leftover food sources. Roaches love it. Clean it thoroughly using ice cubes and lemon peels, and scrub the splash guard with an old toothbrush.
If needed, follow up with natural drain cleaners like baking soda and hot water to break down residue.
Install Drain Covers and Drain Screens
Drain covers and fine mesh drain screens help block cockroaches from crawling back up into your home through your plumbing system.
This is especially important in older homes with worn-out stoppers or exposed entry points in the kitchen sink and bathroom.
Seal Crevices With Caulk
Roaches use cracks and crevices to move between walls, pipes, and under cabinets. Grab a caulking gun and seal the space around your faucets, behind your kitchen drain, and anywhere you see gaps.
Blocking these access points helps get rid of roaches for good.
Know What to Do if Cockroaches Won’t Go Away
If you’ve cleaned your drains, sealed up entry points, and you’re still spotting different types of roaches in your sink, it might be time to go a little deeper.
Here’s what to do next if the signs of a cockroach infestation won’t go away:
Check for Leaky Faucets and Standing Water
Roaches aren’t just looking for a snack. They’re looking for water sources.
Leaky faucets, condensation under the sink, or even a slow drip in bathroom sinks can keep them coming back. Fix leaks quickly and wipe down damp areas nightly.
Clean Your Sink Overflow and Stopper
Food debris and gunk can collect in your overflow and sink stopper, especially in bathroom sinks. These are easy spots for cockroaches to hide.
Remove the stopper and scrub it clean. Pour a cup of baking soda down the overflow, followed by hot water to flush it out.
Sanitize Garbage Cans and Remove Dirty Dishes Nightly
Leaving dirty dishes in the sink or an uncovered trash can overnight is an open invitation.
Roaches can smell those food sources from inside your drain pipes. Empty your trash can every evening, and wipe it down weekly with bleach or borax-based cleaners.
Be sure to clean under the lid, where crumbs and spills often hide.
Call a Plumber to Inspect Your System
If roaches are coming out of multiple drains, especially in older homes, the issue might be deeper in your plumbing system. Sewer roaches often enter through cracked lines or unsealed vent pipes.
A plumber can inspect for structural problems and recommend fixes.
Bring In a Professional Exterminator
Sometimes, DIY pest control only goes so far, especially if you’re dealing with German cockroaches.
If diatomaceous earth and boric acid haven’t worked, it may be time to let someone else take over. At LaJaunie’s Pest Control, we know exactly how to handle cockroaches in kitchen sinks, bathroom drains, and everything in between.
Our same-day service, friendly techs, and proven treatments are available across Southeastern Louisiana, from Houma to Baton Rouge.
Contact us now and kill cockroaches for good.
