"But My House Is Clean!" Why You Still Have Roaches
Clean home but still seeing roaches? You aren't dirty. Learn how roaches hitchhike in boxes and why they need water more than food.
I hear this every day. A homeowner is almost in tears, telling me, "I scrub the floors! I take out the trash! I'm not a dirty person!"
Let me be clear: Roaches don't judge you.
German Cockroaches don't invade your house because it's dirty. They invade because it's warm and wet.
How They Got In (The Trojan Horse)
You probably brought them in yourself.
- Cardboard Boxes: Amazon packages are a prime hiding spot. Corrugated cardboard is the perfect size for roach eggs.
- Used Electronics: Bought a used PS5 or toaster? It might have a nest inside near the warm motor.
- Grocery Bags: They hitchhike from the warehouse to your pantry.
They Eat Glue, Not Just Crumbs
Sure, crumbs help them grow faster. But roaches can survive on soap residue, toothpaste, book binding glue, and even the starch in drywall.
Water is Key
A roach can live a month without food. It dies in a week without water.
If you have a pristine kitchen but a leaky pipe under the sink... you are running a roach hotel. The #1 thing I tell "clean" clients to do is dry out their sink every night and fix that tiny drip.