Do dishwashers attract cockroaches?

Question

I have a dishwasher in my duplex and I don't really need to use it, I just wash as I get a small sinkful or after a big cooking project. I recently discovered the dishwasher it is perfect way to get my water bottles cleaned up and sanitized, because it is hard to reach in and clean them, so I use it even though the loads are somewhat small. It is not like I am totally fastidious about my dirty dishes, I still wait for a few to accumulate in the sink and when they start to spread across the counter, then I rinse them off, load and run the dw, making sure that my water bottles are in there so they get nice and clean.

In other news...I used to have a huge cockroach problem...for various reasons. My neighbor has them, I live right beside a wooded area, they came in from the drought last summer, etc. There were bugs, wings, poop everywhere, but mostly in my kitchen and bathroom. Amazingly, I bought a bunch of baits (combat source) that brought things completely under control and then I cleaned up all my cabinets and baseboards, and got rid of their sign. Now I only see a roach every now and then, and almost always they are in or near my dishwasher. Really nothing else has changed about my home situation, although, yes the weather has changed. I haven't had to put out any more baits for months. They just don't appear to be living here anymore...and I am not any tidier than I ever was. 

I started using my dishwasher consistently about the time I was treating my apartment for roaches. But I wonder if using it is helping keep them at bay and if I stopped using it would they come back?

Tigger · Accepted Answer

Mainly what draws cockroaches is food particles laying around.  A dishwasher is usually closed and there is no way they can then get inside.  I have never had cockroaches or a dishwasher though.  Maybe the humming of the dishwasher is keeping them away.  I do know people who have a dishwasher AND cockroaches AND cats/or dogs.  When neighbors treat their residence for bugs, the bugs do go to other areas such as neighbors.  It's good to keep the bait out to keep them in control...

Sandyspacecase · Answer

I had them too really bad as a result of some new neighbors. The neighbors are now gone thank goodness and so are the roaches. Of course the roaches were here long after the neighbors left and were mainly in my dishwasher. Only did they disappear for good when I stopped using the dishwasher all together. I say yes, dishwashers do attract roaches. Or I should rephrase that, it gives them a good place to hide and multiply. Mine are gone now,yeah!

C J · Answer

They need water, so they might be using it as a water source.  Or, if you don't clean out it's filter properly they might be using it as a food source.  Or, there might just be a roach nest in behind the dishwasher that hasn't been completely eradicated.  In any case, you're far more likely to attract them if there are dirty dishes around than with the dishwasher, so I'd keep using it if I were you.

XTX · Answer

=== go to the local garden chemical or feed store  and ask what will rid your apartment of bugs and esp. roaches .... or go to the hardware giant and get a one gallon sprayer pump bottle and the proper liguid poison that will kill and control the roach problem ... then you can spray when on your way out for the weekend -- gone on business -- etc and have the place closed for at least 36 or 48 hours .. that will give time to work and no where for the critters to escape ... concentrate on the baseboards and the door jambs [[[ all around the door opening and thresholds .... it works ... and do outside the windows that you can reach ]]]... don't smoke for one hour .....

rosenstock · Answer

you have have been given to make constructive all your nutrients is tightly closed and no crumbs hiding on the counters, range, oven, microwave. in case you reside in an condominium it ought to be your neighbor. in specific circumstances it fairly isn't any longer suitable how sparkling you're yet what ought to be occurring around the corner. this is fairly helpful to objective Bengal powder. you need to be waiting to purchase it at hardware shops and Wal-mart may even carry it. Sprinkle some in small jar lids and hide on your cabinets, in the back of refrigerator, in simple terms out of sight. those issues is great and works wonders. in case you reside in a house and don't have an outdoors puppy this is sweet to sprinkle around the define of the abode. good luck...roaches are SO nasty!

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Do dishwashers attract cockroaches?

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