At Maggie’s Oven Cleaning, we know that the pesky species of cockroaches (Blattaria) have become a problem, one too common we might add, due to their strong affinity (and adaptivity) for warm and humid surroundings, full of easy-to-access food.
These painfully well-known insects actively scavenge for leftovers, breadcrumbs, or simply easy-to-hijack yummies in your kitchen, scurry about in the bathroom, and hide in basements and attics, and unfortunately, even ovens, EW!
And why not? The cooking area perfectly fits reach requirements. Especially on the inside of cookers of all kinds! Stoves remain dark, sufficiently warm, and there’s (too) often food crumbs.
Now, let’s delve into why roaches are so attracted to the stove and what measures one can take to prevent such a nasty (and dangerous) intrusion.
A Few Notes On Roaches & Ovens (Of All Type)
As mentioned above, ovens have all the necessary conditions for cockroaches to thrive:
- Warmth;
- Food and water;
- Dimly lit;
- Relatively secure environment.
Roaches can also invade pretty much anything, microwaves, gas burners, electric stoves, or any other oven for similar reasons, as they instinctively avoid the heated areas that become hot.
This lack of water makes it considerably more challenging to eliminate roaches by turning on microwaves, and that’s why roaches endure microwave heat so effectively.
Peculiar Fact: Microwaves generate frequencies that heat up water molecules, yet, cockroaches possess minimal water in their bodies, which makes them relevantly safe in there.
Why Roaches & Ovens Can’t Go Along?
In case you get the wrong impression that cockroaches in the oven may initially seem harmless, as they are not coming into contact with food directly, you better wake up. Cockroaches carry more than 30 diseases and various parasites.
These illnesses have the potential to contaminate not only your food but also the oven itself.
Furthermore, various infestations can spread to your cookware. Among the diseases transmitted by cockroaches are dysentery, diarrhoea, cholera, and typhoid fever, among others.
So, How Does One Get Rid Of Roaches?
When facing the menace of roaches infesting your stove, you better not use toxic pesticides as those could potentially affect the quality of food down the road. Instead, try some of the following tips and to safely eliminate roaches in or around your oven/stove!
- Always keep your oven clean!
- Give roach gel baits a try!
- Give boric acid a try!
Always Keep Your Oven Clean!
Hygiene is your best option.
- Thoroughly clean your oven at least once a month and ensure that all food stains and stubborn crumbs are gone. This is how you prevent cockroaches from easy access to a buffet whenever they venture into your oven, ultimately discouraging such entries.
- Sanitise the interior of the oven using heat. This process causes roaches to scatter and flee from any concealed crevices in which they may be hiding.
No worries!
Professional services are here to help:
Give Roach Gel Baits A Try
After a comprehensive oven clean, try gel baits as your next measure.
When roach baits become the only available food source inside the oven, cockroaches will consume the poisonous bait and then carry it away to another location where they will ultimately perish.
Gradually, roaches will avoid your oven, and the use of gel baits does not leave any residue within the oven. If possible, it is advisable to refrain from using your oven while gel bait is deployed.
Try Dust Traps
When there’s no food residue or filth, target cockroaches presence as pests might reside inside or attempt to return to the unit in search of sustenance.
Utilising diatomaceous earth traps proves highly effective in exterminating cockroaches that come into contact with them.
While applying dust traps directly onto the cockroaches can be effective, optimal results are achieved when traps are distributed nearby.
Avoid using dust traps inside a microwave. Relocate the appliance to a safer and more isolated location, encircling it with the diatomaceous earth. Additionally, it is advisable to place some of the dust in front of the microwave’s power outlet.
As cockroaches emerge to scavenge for food, they will unknowingly traverse the diatomaceous earth, leading to their poisoning. This method works particularly well for larger cockroach colonies since upon the death of one cockroach, others within the colony will consume the deceased and subsequently ingest the poison, ultimately succumbing to its effects.
Give Boric Acid A Try
Boric acid is an economical and effective solution to address cockroach infestations.
Some boric acid formulations even incorporate roach bait to attract the pests towards the powder.
However, it is important to note that studies have indicated: boric acid can be toxic to pets if consumed in large amounts. Therefore, place in areas inaccessible to pets!
Additionally, you may consider using glue traps or other sticky traps in the vicinity. Traps ensnare cockroaches as they try to traverse the area, allowing you to either eliminate them or safely remove them from your premises.
- Apply a thin layer of boric acid powder.
- Sprinkle around the oven rather than inside.
Can You Freeze Your Oven?
Ideally, putting the entire piece of appliance in a freeze will work, but not everybody has a unit of that size. If you do, and can, it’s worth the shot!
Where Else Could Roaches Live?
Professional cockroach exterminators Toxic Respond comment: Cockroaches can inhabit pretty much all areas within the kitchen: the kitchen sink, behind counter backsplashes, behind and underneath and within appliances, inside doors, and the list goes on. If there’s room to fit, it’s an option.
As long as it’s warm and there’s water somewhere nearby, then it’s an attractive hiding spot for roaches. That being said, we mean that you must exercise caution and thoroughly inspect your entire kitchen, paying special attention to hard-to-reach areas, to ensure that no cockroaches are concealed there, as your oven is unlikely to be the one and single thing being infested.
Keep Roaches Away From Stoves & Ovens
Cockroaches are resilient pests. Once they find their way into your stove, it requires considerable effort to eliminate them.
- Seal all cracks and crevices in your home, ensuring that the bugs are unable to enter your kitchen in the first place.
- Inspect the perimeter of your home carefully, identifying any potential entry points for roaches.
- Proceed and close openings or position traps or poison nearby to capture any roaches that attempt to crawl inside.
- Follow a routine of deep cleaning your appliances at least once a month.
- Keep all food and rubbish securely sealed and promptly dispose of them when necessary.
- Remove any crumbs to prevent the recurrence of bugs.
While it may not be feasible to fully eradicate all insects from your home, following these practices can significantly reduce the number of roaches in your kitchen and the likelihood of bugs infiltrating appliances.
However, by implementing these tips, you will be able to effectively keep these troublesome critters at bay.