Where Do Cockroaches Hide? Common Hiding Places and How to Find Them

TL;DR

• Look at night. Wait until the house has been dark for a while, then shine a bright flashlight into cracks, under counters, behind appliances and under sinks.
• Start with kitchen appliances: the spaces beneath and behind the fridge, dishwasher and stove. Then check under kitchen and bathroom sinks, where pipes enter the wall.
• Next, check inside cabinets and behind drawers, the hollow space behind the kick panels under cabinets, and warm electronics like clocks and toaster ovens.
• Follow the droppings: where you see dark specks or smears, the hiding spot is usually within reach. Confirm with numbered sticky traps along wall edges and in corners.
• The species tells you where to look. Large, dark roaches hide in basement floor drains and sump pumps. Brown-banded roaches hide high and in furniture, away from the kitchen.
• Need help? Get a quote from a recommended local exterminator through Pest Agent's referral form.

Cockroaches hide in tight, dark, warm cracks close to water and food, so the spot where you saw one cross the floor is rarely where it lives. Most of them stay tucked behind and under kitchen appliances, beneath sinks, inside cabinets and around bathroom plumbing until the house goes dark.

That habit is what makes a roach problem so hard to pin down. Health Canada notes that an infestation can go unnoticed for some time, and the open floor and countertops show almost nothing while it grows. Those cracks are not chosen at random: each one meets a short list of needs that keeps a roach hidden, fed and close to others of its kind.

Why Do Cockroaches Hide?

Cockroaches hide because they are nocturnal insects that spend the day packed into tight, dark cracks close to warmth, moisture and food.

Nocturnal Habits

Cockroaches are night insects. According to Health Canada, they are most active at night, so an infestation can go unnoticed for some time. The University of Kentucky explains that during the day they stay hidden in cracks and other dark, secluded areas, then leave those hiding places at night to search for food.

Tight Spaces

Cockroaches prefer narrow spaces where surfaces touch their bodies on both sides. According to UC IPM, an adult German cockroach can hide in a crack only 1/16 inch wide (about 1.6 mm), and young roaches (nymphs) squeeze into even smaller cracks. Their wide, flat bodies let them slip in and out of gaps with ease (Penn State Extension). When they do move, they tend to travel along the edges of walls and gather in corners, which is useful to know when you set traps or bait.

Moisture and Warmth

Cockroaches need warmth and water as much as food. Health Canada notes that they are drawn to the warm, damp conditions of kitchens, bathrooms, basements and plumbing areas. In Canada, this matters even more in winter: the German cockroach does not tolerate cold well, yet it has been found in heated buildings as far north as Nunavut.

Droppings That Attract Other Roaches

Cockroaches do not build nests or live in organized colonies the way ants do. Instead, they gather in specific spots in response to odours in their droppings, which appear as pepper-like specks where roaches live or used to live (University of Kentucky). So once a few roaches settle into a crack, others follow. If you are wondering what that gathering spot looks like, read about what a roach nest looks like and how to find it.

Where Do Cockroaches Hide in Your House?

Cockroaches hide mostly in kitchens and bathrooms, in cracks and voids around appliances, sinks and plumbing, though a large infestation can reach any room. Here are the most common cockroach hiding places, starting with the ones to check first.

Kitchen Appliances

Kitchen appliances are the number one cockroach hiding place. German cockroaches favour the spaces beneath and behind refrigerators, dishwashers and stoves (University of Kentucky): these spots are dark, close to food crumbs and rarely cleaned. Health Canada recommends regularly cleaning dark or damp areas close to food, such as beneath and behind appliances. For more on keeping this room roach-free, see how to prevent roaches in the kitchen.

Under Sinks

Under sinks is the second place to look, in both the kitchen and the bathroom. The University of Kentucky lists cracks and crevices under sinks and toilets among the preferred hiding places of German cockroaches. Pay close attention to the spot where the plumbing enters the wall: the gap around the pipe can give roaches water, shelter and a highway into the wall.

Cabinets

Cabinets and pantries give cockroaches food and darkness in the same place. Check inside cabinets, the back corners of shelves, behind drawers and the area near your garbage container. UC IPM suggests looking for droppings under kitchen counters, behind kitchen drawers and at the back of cabinets. Stacks of paper bags, cartons and newspapers stored inside cabinets can also make good hiding spots, so the University of Kentucky advises throwing them out or keeping them in sealed plastic bags.

Kick Panel Voids

Kick panel voids are a hiding place most people never think about. The University of Kentucky points out that the hollow space under kitchen and bathroom cabinets, behind the kick panel at floor level, is a potential German cockroach hiding place. Roaches can reach it through small cracks along the top of the panel.

Electronics

Electronics attract cockroaches because they stay warm. German cockroaches gather in clocks, toaster ovens and other heat-producing electronic equipment (University of Kentucky), and brown-banded cockroaches favour crevices in or near electrical appliances (UC IPM). Do not puff boric acid or other dust inside electronics, since it could damage the components. Instead, the University of Kentucky suggests placing a bait station behind or beneath the infested appliance to draw the roaches out.

Furniture

Furniture is a common hiding place, especially for brown-banded cockroaches, which live beneath or inside furniture (University of Kentucky). Penn State Extension lists the cracks of bureaus and the hollow legs of chairs and tables among German cockroach treatment sites. Used furniture is also a classic way cockroaches arrive: Health Canada notes that roaches and their egg cases can hitch a ride into your home on used furniture, so inspect any second-hand piece before you bring it inside.

Bedrooms

Bedrooms are not a cockroach's first choice, because they hold little food or water. According to the University of Kentucky, German cockroaches show up in bedrooms, closets and other rooms when the population is large or food is scarce. In a bedroom, check closet shelves, ceiling light fixtures and dresser crevices. To keep them out, read about how to prevent cockroaches in the bedroom.

Basement Drains

Basement drains are where the large, dark roaches hide. Oriental and American cockroaches often live in floor drains and sump pumps, and American cockroaches may also gather in laundry areas, pipe chases and boiler rooms (University of Kentucky). If you see roaches near a drain, learn how to stop cockroaches from coming up the drain.

Inside Walls

Inside walls, cockroaches move out of sight from one room to the next. The University of Kentucky notes that they can travel between rooms or adjoining apartments through walls, ceilings, pipes, wires and other openings. To understand how they get into the walls in the first place, see where roaches come from.

Where Do Roaches Hide, by Species?

Where roaches hide depends on the species, so identifying the cockroach tells you where to look first. There are 69 species of cockroaches in North America, but only a handful live in buildings (University of Kentucky). If you are not sure which one you have, use the cockroach identifier.

German Cockroach

The German cockroach hides in kitchens and bathrooms, close to food and water. It is one of the species most often found in Canada (Orkin Canada) and, according to the University of Kentucky, it does not live outdoors at all. Health Canada describes it as about 1.3 cm to 1.6 cm long, tan to light brown, with two dark stripes behind the head. Look under sinks and toilets, behind and under appliances, inside cabinets and pantries, near garbage containers and in warm electronics.

Brown-Banded Cockroach

The brown-banded cockroach hides high and away from the kitchen. It is usually about 0.5 inch (about 1.3 cm) long, with two yellowish bands across the wings and no dark stripes behind the head (University of Kentucky, UC IPM). The University of Kentucky lists the upper areas of ceilings, walls, cabinets and closets, behind picture frames and wall decorations, and beneath or inside furniture. It glues its pea-sized egg cases to hidden surfaces such as the undersides of dressers and tables, so check under furniture with a flashlight.

Oriental Cockroach

The Oriental cockroach hides low, in cool and damp places. It is about 1.25 inches (about 3 cm) long and almost black (UC IPM). It is slow-moving and usually stays at ground level, in basements, crawlspaces, cellars, floor drains and sump pumps (University of Kentucky). Outdoors it lives under stones and debris and gets inside through door thresholds, vents and other openings.

American Cockroach

The American cockroach hides in dark, moist areas such as basements and crawl spaces. It is the largest of the common species, up to about 2 inches (about 5 cm) long and reddish brown (UC IPM). It gathers in floor drains, sump pumps, pipe chases, laundry areas and boiler rooms, and it can travel long distances from those spots, so the University of Kentucky stresses that long-term relief means finding and treating the gathering places, not only the roaches you see.

Wood Cockroach

The wood cockroach hides outdoors, under loose bark in woodpiles, fallen logs and dead trees. It cannot survive indoors, but it wanders inside in spring and summer and often arrives in winter with firewood (University of Kentucky). If you only see roaches near the woodpile or the fireplace, you likely have wood cockroaches, not an indoor infestation.

How to Find Cockroaches

Finding cockroaches means checking their hiding spots at night with a flashlight, then confirming them with droppings and sticky traps. The University of Kentucky stresses that the goal is to find the places where they gather, not to spray the open floor: if you miss the key hiding spots, the problem continues.

Night Flashlight Inspection

A night flashlight inspection is the fastest way to find cockroaches. Wait until the house has been dark for a while, then turn on the kitchen light or shine a bright flashlight into cracks, under counters, behind appliances and under sinks. UC IPM suggests a small mirror on a long handle for hard-to-see areas such as the back of the fridge or the top of the cabinets.

Droppings

Droppings show you where cockroaches spend their time. Small species such as the German cockroach tend to leave droppings that look like coffee grounds or specks of pepper, while large species such as the American and Oriental cockroach tend to leave droppings similar to mouse droppings, only a little smaller (Orkin Canada). Where you see dark specks or smears, the hiding spot is usually within reach. Droppings, shed skins and egg cases are also the classic signs of a cockroach infestation.

Sticky Traps

Sticky traps are one of the best ways to confirm where cockroaches hide, according to UC IPM. Place them at the junctions of floors and walls, in every corner of the room and close to spots where you suspect roaches. Number each trap so you can tell them apart, and check them daily: many roaches are caught within the first 24 hours. Penn State Extension says one week of trapping at ten or more sites usually gives a clear picture. The traps with the most catches point to the hiding spot, and traps near exterior doors show whether outdoor species are getting in.

Daytime Sightings

Daytime sightings are a warning sign. German cockroaches are mostly active at night, so seeing them during the day can mean a heavy population (Penn State Extension), and the Government of Manitoba notes that a roach moving in a brightly lit area or during the day may indicate an infestation.

What Should You Do After Finding Cockroach Hiding Places?

Once you know where cockroaches hide, treat those exact spots with bait and remove what drew them there. For a full step-by-step plan, see what to do if you have cockroaches.

Bait at the Hiding Spots

Bait works only when it is placed where roaches hide, because they come across bait while foraging rather than seeking it out from far away. The University of Kentucky recommends placing bait under and around sinks and toilets, behind refrigerators, dishwashers and stoves, near garbage containers and inside cabinets, with stations pushed flush against corners and edges. Many small, pea-sized dabs of gel work better than a few large ones, and you should bait wherever you see droppings. Health Canada notes that bait stations kill about 48 to 96 hours after the bait is eaten. Choose a product with a PCP number on the label, which shows it is registered by Health Canada, and keep it away from children and pets. For product picks, see the best cockroach killers.

Why Foggers Miss Hiding Spots

Foggers ("bug bombs") miss the places where cockroaches actually hide. The University of Kentucky explains that very little insecticide from a fogger reaches cracks and voids, and that the product can push roaches deeper into the walls. UC IPM also notes that foggers do not reach the crevices where cockroaches shelter and breed.

Vacuuming

Vacuuming removes roaches, droppings and egg cases from their hiding spots. Health Canada recommends vacuuming often to remove food particles and egg masses. Use the crevice tool along baseboards, under appliances and inside cabinets, where droppings and egg cases collect.

Sealing Cracks

Sealing cracks takes hiding places away for good. Health Canada advises sealing and caulking cracks, crevices and pipe openings, and covering vents, open pipes and drains with fine mesh screen. The University of Kentucky adds that caulk, foam or copper mesh around pipes and wires that pass through walls and floors helps stop roaches from moving between apartments.

Apartment Hiding Spots

Apartment hiding spots often extend beyond your own unit, since roaches travel through shared walls, pipes and wires. If you rent, tell your landlord as soon as you see roaches. The Government of Manitoba warns that store-bought chemicals used by one tenant may simply push roaches into other units, and NC State Extension notes shared walls can become doorways, so a building-wide approach usually works better.

When to Call a Pest Control Professional

Call a licensed pest control professional when you find roaches in several rooms, see them during the day, or still catch them after a few weeks of baiting. A professional usually starts with an inspection of the species and the hiding spots, then treats cracks and hidden areas rather than open surfaces (University of Kentucky). You can get a quote from a recommended local exterminator through Pest Agent's referral form.