Cockroaches do not disappear in cold weather, and this appliance that you use every day becomes a paradise for them without you even realising it.
If you think that keeping your kitchen clean is enough to prevent cockroaches from moving in, there’s something you’re probably forgetting: an appliance you use every day, even several times a day, that they love for its warmth and the food scraps that tend to accumulate in it.
Although you may not like to think about it, cockroaches are constantly searching for warmth and moisture, and your kitchen is the perfect place for them to take refuge. Even in winter, they are attracted to specific places that provide constant warmth.
Surprisingly, the microwave oven is one of the appliances that most attracts cockroaches. You use it every day, it generates heat, and if crumbs or food scraps are left inside, it becomes an ideal refuge for these pests.
The warm, dark interior of the microwave is the perfect environment for them to hide, and often, without you noticing, they can leave traces such as:
- Eggs in the cracks.
- A dark liquid with an unpleasant odour.
- Small stains in the inner corners.
In addition to the microwave, the oven is another of their favourite places because of the residual heat it retains, especially in cold weather, making it a strategic refuge for cockroaches.
Why is it dangerous to have cockroaches in your kitchen?
According to Ecolab, cockroaches pose a serious health risk because they can transmit diseases such as salmonella, E. coli and dysentery. Even a single cockroach in a restaurant can be grounds for closure by the health authorities, and even if you don’t have a restaurant, it’s also a real risk of food contamination in your home.
If cockroaches find a home in your microwave or oven, they can easily contaminate utensils, dishes and food, affecting your health and that of your family.
How to prevent cockroaches from getting into your microwave and oven
To prevent them from making these appliances their home, follow these tips:
- Clean the microwave and oven after each use. Remove food scraps and crumbs.
- Wipe with white vinegar or lemon to neutralise odours that may attract them.
- Seal cracks and crevices where they can hide near these appliances.
- Do not leave dirty dishes or food exposed in the kitchen at night.
- Place natural traps with sugar and bicarbonate of soda or bay leaves near these appliances as a natural repellent.
What you didn’t know: heat attracts them
In autumn and winter, cockroaches seek warmth. If you use the oven to heat food or the microwave several times a day, that heat becomes a magnet for them, so keeping these appliances and their surroundings thoroughly clean is key to preventing infestations.
