Cockroaches: The Uninvited Tenants Who Moved In Before We Did

Cockroaches are a disgusting topic, but unfortunately they are also a very present topic in many households. Especially in tropical areas, but not only there. They are everywhere: persistent and with absolutely no respect for personal boundaries.

Some people see a cockroach in the house and stay calm. They say, “Oh, a cockroach,” as if they have just spotted a slightly unattractive butterfly.

And then some people completely freak out.

I belong to the second category.

For me, a cockroach is not just an insect. It is an emotional event. It is a reason to stop everything, question life choices, and wonder if moving to Antarctica might be a reasonable solution.

What made it even more frustrating in our case was that our house was newly built when we moved in. It was clean. It was fresh. It wasn’t some old, abandoned horror house with mysterious noises in the walls. So when we noticed cockroaches, my first thought was, “How can this be?” We keep the house clean!

But later I started to believe the infestation had probably begun before we even moved in—during construction. At that time, the house still had no proper windows or doors. It was open. Building materials were lying around. Pipes, drains, gaps, dark corners and damp spots were all available. For cockroaches, that is not a construction site. That is a five-star hotel with free check-in.

Once inside, they do not politely leave when the owners arrive.

A Clean House Can Still Have Cockroaches

One of the first things I had to understand was this: having cockroaches does not automatically mean your house is dirty.

Of course, poor hygiene makes everything worse. Open rubbish, leftover food, dirty dishes, grease, pet food, and crumbs are all invitations. If you leave food out overnight, you are basically preparing a buffet.

But cleanliness alone is not always enough.

That was the frustrating lesson. We were keeping the house clean, yet they were still there. So I started researching how to get rid of them properly. Not just by screaming, spraying randomly, and hoping for a miracle—although I admit that was part of the early strategy.

The important thing was to understand what cockroaches actually need and where they like to live.

And one word kept coming back again and again:

Humidity.

Humidity Is One of Their Best Friends

I used to think the main issue was rubbish and food waste. And yes, proper disposal of organic rubbish is very important. But I learned that moisture matters just as much, maybe even more.

Cockroaches need water. They can survive quite a while without food, but without water they struggle much faster. That means even a clean house can become attractive if there are damp corners, leaking pipes, wet bathrooms, condensation, blocked drains, or wood damaged by humidity.

So you may think your house is clean — and it may be clean — but the cockroaches are not necessarily judging your kitchen decor. They are looking for survival.

A tiny leak under the sink? Wonderful.

A wet bathroom floor every night? Perfect.

A damp wooden cabinet? Luxury accommodation.

A drain with easy access? Highway entrance.

Basically, if there is moisture and darkness, they are interested.

They Are Not Harmless Little Visitors

Some people say, “It is only a cockroach.”

No. It is not “only” a cockroach.

They are not just ugly. They are not just embarrassing when guests are around. They can be a real health concern, especially when they appear in large numbers or move through kitchens, bathrooms, drains, rubbish areas, and food storage areas.

Cockroaches are scavengers. They crawl through dirty places, drains, rubbish, sewage areas, dead insects, food waste and then, with the confidence of a restaurant critic, walk across your kitchen worktop. That’s what makes them more than just unpleasant.

A cockroach does not need to attack you to cause problems. Just being in the house is enough.

Some of the possible risks include:

• Bites: Cockroach bites are rare, but they can happen, especially during heavy infestations. They may bite or nibble on skin, usually when people are asleep, especially if there is food residue, sweat, or dead skin.

• Skin irritation: A bite may cause redness, swelling, itching or soreness. For sensitive people, the reaction can be stronger.

• Infection risk: The bite itself is usually not the biggest danger. The problem is that cockroaches are dirty insects carrying bacteria on their bodies. If the skin is broken, bacteria can enter and cause infection.

• Food contamination: Cockroaches can contaminate food, plates, cutlery and kitchen surfaces with bacteria from their legs, bodies, saliva, droppings and shed skins.

• Allergies and asthma: Their droppings, body parts and shed skins can trigger allergies and asthma, especially in children or people who are already sensitive.

• Stomach problems: Cockroaches can mechanically spread germs associated with diarrhoea, food poisoning and stomach infections by walking from dirty areas to food preparation areas.

• Mental stress: This may sound dramatic, but anyone who has dealt with an infestation knows the stress is real. You start checking every corner, every sound becomes suspicious, and suddenly the bathroom at night feels like a safari.

So yes, they are disgusting — but they are also unhygienic. That is why keeping them out of the house is not just about comfort. It is about health.

I don’t want to scare you, but I know a man who almost lost his leg because he was likely bitten by a cockroach, his doctor told him.

What If a Cockroach Bites You?

Again, cockroach bites are not very common. They are not like mosquitoes, looking for humans as their favourite meal. But in a serious infestation, especially when food or water is limited, it can happen.

A cockroach bite may look like a small red bump. It can itch, swell or become sore. The bite itself is not venomous, but because cockroaches are such dirty little travellers, the risk is irritation or infection.

If you think you were bitten, do not panic, but do not ignore it either.

Useful steps are:

• Wash the area: Clean the bite with soap and water.

• Disinfect it: Use a mild antiseptic if available.

• Do not scratch: Scratching can break the skin further and increase the risk of infection.

• Watch for changes: If redness spreads, the area becomes hot, swollen, painful, or pus appears, seek medical advice.

• Take allergies seriously: If you have severe swelling, difficulty breathing, dizziness, or a serious allergic reaction, seek medical help immediately.

And of course, if cockroaches are already at the stage where bites are possible, then it is definitely time for serious action. That is no longer a “maybe we should spray one day” situation. That is a “where is the nozzle, where is the bait, and where is the professional pest control number?” situation.

They Do Not Usually Start in the Living Room

When you see a cockroach running across the living room, it feels as if the whole house has been invaded. And yes, emotionally it has.

But cockroaches usually prefer other places. They like dark, warm, humid, quiet areas. They do not normally sit in the middle of the sofa waiting to watch Netflix with you.

The main places to check are:

• Kitchen: Under the sink, behind cabinets, near rubbish bins, under the fridge, around the cooker and behind appliances.

• Bathrooms: Around drains, behind the toilet, under cabinets, near pipes, in tile gaps and in dark wet corners.

• Laundry areas: Around washing machines, wet mops, buckets, floor drains and damp walls.

• Wooden furniture: Especially if the wood has been damaged by moisture or has started to crack or swell.

• Storage areas: Cardboard boxes, packaging, old newspapers and unused corners are very attractive to them.

• Pipes and wall gaps: Small openings around plumbing can become cockroach tunnels.

If you see them in bedrooms or living rooms, they may be searching for food or water, or the infestation may already be established elsewhere. After treatment, it can also mean they have been disturbed and are coming out of hiding.

So yes, seeing them is horrible. But it also gives you information.

Not pleasant information, but still information.

The Real Problem Is Not Only the Cockroach You See

The cockroach you see is usually not the whole problem. It is just the visible ambassador of a much uglier hidden kingdom.

The real issue is often the eggs.

Cockroaches produce egg cases called oothecae. Depending on the species, these can contain many baby cockroaches. Some cockroaches carry the egg case for a while; others hide it in protected places. Either way, if you only kill the adults you see, you may still have the next generation waiting somewhere in a gap, probably already planning their future.

This is why it is so important to look beyond the obvious.

You need to inspect the places we normally ignore:

• Tile gaps: Small cracks between tiles or around bathroom edges can hide egg cases.

• Pipe openings: Any little gap where a pipe enters the wall or floor should be checked.

• Under sinks: This is one of their favourite places because it is dark, often damp and rarely disturbed.

• Behind cabinets: Especially if the cabinet is close to water or food.

• Floor drains: Drains can be access points and hiding areas.

• Damp wood: Humidity-damaged wood is very attractive to them.

• Appliances: Fridges, ovens and washing machines create warmth and hidden spaces.

You may not always find the eggs. They are very good at hiding them. But if you know the places where they are likely to be, you can treat those areas more effectively.

Use the Right Products in the Right Places

When I started fighting them, I thought a simple insect spray would solve everything. Spray, victory, peace restored.

Unfortunately, cockroaches did not receive this memo.

A spray can can help, especially if it has a nozzle that allows you to reach small gaps and corners. That nozzle is important. Without it, you may spray the air and feel productive while the cockroaches sit safely inside the wall, laughing at you.

But it is also important to be realistic: not every spray kills eggs properly. Some products claim to affect eggs, but cockroach egg cases are quite well protected. That is why repeat treatment is often necessary.

A good approach is usually a combination:

• Residual insect spray: Useful for cracks, gaps, pipe areas, drains and hidden corners.

• Cockroach gel bait: Very effective because cockroaches eat it and can spread the effect to others.

• Sticky traps: Help monitor where they are active and whether their numbers are decreasing.

• Sealing gaps: Prevents them from hiding and travelling easily through the house.

• Drying wet areas: Removes one of the most important things they need to survive.

Always follow the product label instructions. Keep insecticides away from food, plates, children and pets. Ventilate the room properly. Also, do not spray directly on gel bait, because the spray smell can make the bait unattractive to cockroaches.

If the infestation is severe, don’t be ashamed to call a professional pest control service. Sometimes you need someone with experience, stronger products, and the courage to look in places you don’t want to.

Drains and Pipes Are Secret Highways

Another important lesson: cockroaches can enter through drains, canals and pipes.

They are not just wandering through the front door like normal rude guests. They use the house’s hidden infrastructure. While you are sleeping, they may be travelling through drains and pipe systems like tiny, disgusting commuters.

So make sure your drains are not open invitations.

Helpful steps include:

• Drain covers: Keep drains covered when possible, especially at night.

• One-way valves: In some homes, one-way drain valves can help prevent insects from coming back up through pipes.

• Sealed pipe gaps: Check where pipes enter walls or floors and seal small openings.

• Clean drains: Organic build-up inside drains can attract insects.

• No standing water: Avoid leaving water in sinks, buckets, trays or bathroom floors overnight.

• Leak repairs: Fix dripping taps and leaking pipes quickly.

A cockroach does not need a big entrance. A small gap is enough. They are the burglars of the insect world, except they do not even steal anything useful. They ruin your mood.

Keep Bathrooms and Kitchens Dry

This is one of the most important keys.

Keep the bathroom and kitchen as dry as possible.

After showering, ventilate the bathroom. If the floor stays wet, wipe it. Do not leave wet towels on the floor. Do not leave damp cleaning cloths in dark corners—empty buckets. Dry the sink area at night. Repair leaks immediately.

In the kitchen, clean grease and food residue and keep the area dry. The sink, the space under the sink, the counter around the sink and the floor near appliances are all important.

It may sound boring, but dryness is powerful.

If you remove water, cockroaches lose one of their basic survival needs. A dry house is far less attractive to them. It turns their luxury resort into a desert retreat, and not the nice kind with a swimming pool.

Why You May See More Cockroaches After Treatment

This part can be discouraging.

After you treat the house, you may actually see more cockroaches for a short time.

At first, this feels like failure. You spray, clean, and dry everything, and suddenly one appears where you never saw one before. It feels as if they are mocking you.

But this can be a sign that the treatment is working.

They may be disturbed and forced out of hiding. They may be poisoned and disoriented. They may be desperately searching for water. If you see them in dry, open places, they may already be weakened.

However, not every cockroach in a dry place is about to die. Sometimes they are just travelling, escaping treatment or looking for water. But if sightings increase shortly after treatment and then gradually decrease, that is usually a good sign.

The important thing is not to give up too early.

I observed only deceased cockroaches, likely incapacitated by the application of the spray. It appears to be effective!

Repeat the Process

Cockroach control is rarely a one-day victory. It is more like a campaign.

Because eggs can hatch after the first treatment, you often need to repeat the process after a few weeks. Three weeks is a reasonable time to check again and treat problem areas, depending on the product instructions and the infestation level.

You may need to be patient for a few months before the sightings stop completely.

The goal is to break their life cycle:

• First round: Treat hiding places and kill active cockroaches.

• Second round: Catch or kill newly hatched cockroaches.

• Ongoing prevention: Remove moisture, seal gaps, and keep food sources out of reach.

Over time, you should see fewer and fewer of them. If the number doesn’t decrease at all, they may still be entering from outside, hiding in untreated areas, or the treatment method may not be strong enough.

Prevention Is Better Than Screaming Later

Once the infestation is under control, prevention becomes the most important part.

A few habits can make a big difference:

• Keep food sealed: Store rice, flour, sugar, snacks and pet food in closed containers.

• Empty rubbish regularly: especially organic waste.

• Clean grease: Cockroaches love greasy surfaces around cookers and appliances.

• Wash dishes at night: Dirty dishes are a midnight buffet.

• Check cardboard boxes: Cockroaches and their eggs can hitch a ride in packaging.

• Seal gaps: Around pipes, cabinets, tiles, windows, doors and skirting boards.

• Use screens: Keep doors and windows protected where possible.

• Control humidity: Ventilate rooms and use fans or dehumidifiers if needed.

• Inspect damp furniture: Replace or repair wood damaged by moisture.

• Repeat prevention treatment: In tropical areas, doing this once or twice a year can help.

Cardboard boxes deserve special attention. They are cosy, dark and often come from warehouses or storage areas. Cockroaches love them. If you bring boxes into the house, unpack them quickly and remove the cardboard.

Do not give them free housing.

They already behave as if they own the place.

Final Thoughts From Someone Who Still Hates Cockroaches

I will never like cockroaches. I will never become one of those relaxed people who pick up a slipper and handle the situation with dignity.

My reaction will always include a little drama.

But I have learned that panic alone does not help. Understanding them does.

Cockroaches need moisture, hiding places, food sources and access routes. If your house was open during construction, they may have moved in before you did. If there are damp areas, leaks, drains, gaps or hidden corners, they may stay even if the visible parts of the house are clean.

And most importantly, they are not harmless. They can contaminate food, trigger allergies, worsen asthma, spread bacteria around the home and, in rare cases, even bite. That is why keeping them away is not just about disgust. It is about keeping the home healthy.

So the solution isn’t just to spray the one you see running across the floor. The solution is to find where they hide, treat the gaps, attack the egg cycle, block their entrances, keep bathrooms and kitchens dry, and repeat the process patiently.

It is not glamorous. It is not a topic for a romantic dinner conversation. But it works.

And there is something deeply satisfying about turning your house from a cockroach paradise into a dry, clean and hostile environment where they are no longer welcome.

They do not pay rent.

They do not help with the cleaning.

They can make you sick.

And they were never invited in the first place.