1. Find Holes and Tears on the Dishwasher
The first thing you need to do is figure out how the roaches are getting inside your dishwasher.
Dishwashers are designed to be sealed, so there are only two ways roaches can get in:
- There’s a hole in your dishwasher.
- They got in while the door was open.
Open your dishwasher and inspect for any holes.
Pull out your dishwasher to ensure that no leaks are coming from the bottom or sides.
Check off the seal around the door and have rips or tears.
These tears can be large enough for cockroaches to get inside.
Finally, run your dishwasher and try to spot any leaks or drops of water.
If no leaks are coming from your dishwasher, then the roach probably got into your dishwasher while it was open.
Roaches love to hide behind and around dishwashers.
The back of dishwashers is also dark and full of small crevices that are perfect for hiding.
They are also warm and are close to food and water.
Since roaches love to hang out outside dishwashers, they will likely enter if you leave the dishwasher open.
2. Seals All Holes and Tears
If you find tears in your dishwashers’ seal, make sure to replace the seal with a new one.
Seal up any holes with caulk or a waterproof sealant.
If the size of the hole is too large, it might be best to replace your dishwasher.
3. Treat the Inside of Your Dishwasher
Here are four steps you can do to rid the inside of your dishwasher of cockroaches.
- Remove all dishes.
- Set the dishwasher on the highest heat settings. Most dishwashers can reach 145 degrees; roaches die after 120 degrees.
- Add 1 cup of bleach-based detergent inside for added cleaning and killing power.
- Once finished, inspect the dishwasher and vacuum any dead roach bodies and any food debris inside.
- Repeat this process twice to be sure you get all the roaches.
4. Remove The Dishwasher
Roaches love to hide behind and around dishwashers.
The back of dishwashers is also dark and full of small crevices that are perfect for hiding.
They are also warm and are close to food and water.
If it is possible, remove your dishwasher from its compartment.
Doing so will make treating the area around your dishwasher much easier.
If you can’t remove your dishwasher, remove the grill at the base of your dishwasher to have access beneath it.
Here are instructions for getting rid of roaches around your dishwasher:
1. Apply Gel Bait
Gel bait is one of the most effective ways to eliminate cockroach infestations.
This control method is highly effective because it implements tertiary kills.
Here’s what I mean.
When a cockroach ingests gel bait, they don’t die right away.
Instead, roaches return to their harbored areas where they defecate.
But gel baits when ingested, turn cockroach feces into poison.
Because juvenile roaches (nymphs) rely on feces to survive, the contaminated feces will kill them.
The termination doesn’t end there.
Once the nymphs die, they pass on the poison to the other cockroaches that eat their bodies.
Gel bait can take one of two forms.
- Bait Stations
- Syringe or Tube
For treating your dishwasher, I recommend using a syringe.
Bait stations won’t fit in small places.
But the syringe will allow you to access small crevices and holes.
Apply gel bait at the corner, sides, top, and back of your dishwasher.
Also, place gel bait at the corners of your dishwashers’ cabinet compartment.
2. Apply Dust Bait in Small Crevices
Dust bait is similar to gel bait, except it comes in the form of powder.
When roaches walk over the dust, it will get all over their bodies.
Because roaches regularly groom themselves by running their antennae and legs through their mouth, they will consume dust bait and die.
Use dust bait to reach locations that gel bait cannot reach, such ias under and on top of the dishwasher.
Place a thin layer of dust bait on the floor where your dishwasher goes.
Also, apply another layer of dust on top of the dishwasher and the sides.
Using dust bait will ensure that you kill as many roaches as possible. Even the ones that didn’t eat your gel bait.
Once finished, return your dishwasher into its compartment.
3. IGR’s
Not all cockroaches eat the same food.
Pregnant females and nymphs depend on the feces from other adult roaches.
To cover all your bases, use IGRs in conjunction with all the treatments mentioned above.
IGR’s are like “birth control” for roaches.
It stops infestations by making adult roaches unable to reproduce.
It also blocks the roaches’ ability to turn into an adult.
If juvenile roaches are unable to grow into reproductive adults, their population will eventually die.
I recommend using IGR packets instead of sprays for ease of use.
These will prevent your cockroach population from expanding.
When treating your dishwasher 1 IGR packet is sufficient.
You can place it in a drawer near your dishwasher.
5. Treat Your Entire House For Cockroaches
If you see cockroaches around your dishwasher, you likely have a more extensive infestation in your home.
As a result, you should consider treating your home and not just the area around your dishwasher.
Since the roaches are hanging out near your dishwasher, you’re likely s. dealing with German or American cockroaches.
These two types of roaches are the most common household roaches.
They also love being near warmth, water, and food.
As such, they are likely hiding around your kitchen and bathroom.
1. Apply Gel Bait to High Traffic Areas Around Your Home
To rid your home from these critters, apply gel bait to the following areas:
- Tiny cracks and crevices on your kitchen and bathroom floors and walls.
- Under kitchen and cabinet sinks.
- Apply a drop at each corner where your cabinet hinges.
- Under appliances.
For this, I recommend putting the gel on a 2×2 inch wax paper.
Apply a pea-sized drop about every two feet so that the roaches can access the bait quickly.
Gel bait remains effective for two weeks, so reapply accordingly.
2. Use Dust Bait in Small Crevices
Apply a thin layer of dust bait where roaches live and travel around your house.
Here are some areas to target:
- Wall Voids
- Holes on Walls
- Crevices Between Cabinets and Appliances
- Behind and Under Appliances – Dishwasher, refrigerator, stove, microwave.
- Under and Inside baseboard for Cabinets
3. Insect Growth Regulators (IGR’s)
For most, 1 IGR packet treats 50-75 square feet.
For most treatments place two in your kitchen and one in your restroom.
It is important to note that IGR’s take time to take work.
Keep these packets active even after treatment.
It takes over 1-2 months for nymphs to molt and grow, so apply it for around 7-8 months.
Most IGR applications last between 3 months, so reapply at least 2-3 times.
4. Seal All Entry Points
Seal all entry points to prevent roaches from crawling back inside your home.
Check for any crevices and holes in the walls, doors, or windows and seal them with caulk.
Seal any cracks from pipes and faucets.
If there are any holes and tears on your door and window screens, make sure to repair them.
Weatherstrip your doors and windows to seal gaps.
Use a door sweep to block the gap under your apartment door.
I recommend using the kind that sticks onto the door with an adhesive strip, so you won’t need to drill.
Seal the joint where your door frame meets the wall using a caulk.
5. Apply an External Barrier Using Insecticide
Apply outdoor insecticide around your house to keep roaches from getting back in.
Apply it to 3 feet tall on your walls and 3 feet wide on the floor around your home.
Insecticides typically last for 4-6 months, so re-apply accordingly.
Don’t skip this last step.
It’s much better to prevent cockroaches from getting in your house than having to deal with them again once they are in your home.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can Roaches Survive in the Dishwasher?
Yes, roaches can survive inside the dishwasher even when it’s on.
While roaches can’t live under scorching temperatures, the standard dishwashing setting is not hot enough to kill cockroaches.
Also, while roaches can drown inside the dishwasher, they can survive by hiding inside cracks and crevices.
To ensure they don’t survive, set your heat setting at least 115 F and add 1 cup of bleach.
How do cockroaches get inside the dishwasher?
The most common way cockroaches get inside the dishwasher is when the door is left ajar.
But it’s also possible that your dishwasher is not well sealed.
It could have cracks and holes around it.
It’s also possible that the rubber seal on your dishwasher’s door has tears on it.
Can I use vinegar in my dishwasher to get rid of roaches?
While you can use vinegar inside your dishwasher, it will not kill roaches.
The vinegar will help sanitize your dishwasher once you’ve gotten rid of the roaches.
Should I Be Worried if I See a Roach in My Dishwasher?
If you see a cockroach in your dishwasher, it could be a sign that you have a more significant infestation in your kitchen.
I recommend you take immediate action to identify the type and the severity of your infestation.
To do this, place sticky traps where roaches are likely to live and travel around your kitchen.
Some ideal places are under your appliances, under your sink, and inside your cabinets.
Check your trap during the day when roaches are less active.
If your trap only has a few cockroaches with about the same size, your infestation is likely small.
On the other hand, if your sticky trap has many roaches with different sizes, chances are you’re dealing with a more massive infestation.
It may take a few days to get a good sample if you’re dealing with smaller infestations.
But, if you have a significant infestation, you’ll typically only need one day.
How Do I Remove Cockroaches From Dishwasher Drain?
After you have run your dishwasher on full heat, this is likely where you will find the dead roaches and possibly some live ones.
Remove the rack at the bottom and examine the drain.
Remove any dead roaches using a waterproof vacuum.
Next, remove the drain and wash it off in your sink.
Should I Buy a New Dishwasher if I See a Cockroach?
It depends.
You don’t necessarily need a new dishwasher just because you spot a cockroach in your dishwasher.
The first step is to eliminate any cockroaches inside by running your dishwasher on the highest heat setting with 1 cup of bleach.
Next, determine if your dishwasher has any holes inside that will allow roaches to get in.
Also, check if your dishwasher seal has any holes or tears.
An easy way to check for holes is to run the dishwasher and see if there are any leaks.
Fix any holes and tears that you see.
If you can’t fix them, then it may be time to buy a new dishwasher. Otherwise, the roaches will keep going inside.
You’ll also want to treat the rest of your home if you have an infestation.
Even if you buy a new dishwasher, the roaches will still get back inside every time you leave the dishwasher open.